# NTSB ANC94LA033: Cessna 180A, N288LS, Anchorage, AK, February 10, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1994, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220317, -149.84909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2203&lon=-149.8491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2485
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2485/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA033

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE CARRIED SOME ADDITIONAL POWER DURING THE LANDING PHASE TO PREVENT SHOCK COOLING THE PLANE'S NEW ENGINE. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED BY THE ATIS TO BE FROM 230 DEGREES AT 4 KNOTS. SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE PLANE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS APPLIED AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE LEFT, DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, AND NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On February 10, 1994, at 1440 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180A airplane, N288LS, departed the side of runway 24 at the Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska during the landing rollout and nosed over.  The private certificated pilot-in-command, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The personal local flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed the Merrill Airport at approximately 1330.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that for the approach/landing, he carried some additional engine power to prevent shock cooling the plane's new engine.  The ATIS winds were 230 at 4 knots.  Shortly after touchdown, the plane began to veer to the right.  Corrective action was applied with no immediate result and the engine power was chopped.  The plane then began to veer to the left dragging the left wing tip on the runway.  The airplane departed the left side of the runway, proceeded through the snow, and nosed over onto its back coming to rest 20 to 30 feet from the edge of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N288LS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N288LS), registered now, S/N 32953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180A
- Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32953
- Airframe hours: 4255
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mears, Willard A.
- Registered owner: Mears, Willard A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 1993, 10 hours before
- Departed: MRI
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 24, 3,999 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 1,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19940210002029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940210002029A), Feb 10, 1994: Cessna 180A, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing exited runway. Nosed over in snow.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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