# NTSB ANC95LA097: Cessna 180, N2975C, Naknek, AK, July 6, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1995, 18:30 local (Jul 6, 1995, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Naknek, AK
- Coordinates: 58.799568, -156.899642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.7996&lon=-156.8996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2681/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA097

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAXI.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE LANDED ON A REMOTE BEACH SITE. AFTER LANDING, HE NOTICED THE BEACH WAS SOFT, AND HE ELECTED TO TAXI TO HIGHER AND FIRMER GROUND. DURING TAXI, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK A ROCK AND SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On July 5, 1995, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna model 180 airplane, N2975C, sustained substantial damage while taxiing after landing on a beach on the west shore of Bristol Bay, located approximately 12 miles west of Naknek, Alaska. The solo private pilot reported no injury. The local pleasure flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight departed Naknek about 1730.

The pilot reported he landed low on the beach, and was continuing to taxi to a spot higher on the shoreline to be above the incoming tide. While taxiing, he made a turn to the right, and the left main landing gear tire struck a 2 foot in diameter rock. The left main landing gear was torn from the fuselage, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2975C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2975C), registered now, S/N 30875, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30875
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Timothy L. Wolfe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1994, 106 hours before
- Departed: 5NK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 685 total, 640 in this make and model, 685 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19950705016649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950705016649A), Jul 5, 1995: Cessna 180, Naknek, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on beach. Struck large rock while taxiing away from incoming tide. Tore landing gear assembly from fuselage.

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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