# NTSB ANC95LA153: Cessna 180, N9797G, Nikiski, AK, August 17, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 1995, 12:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Nikiski, AK - Location: 60.6903° N, 151.2889° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nikiski, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6903&lon=-151.2889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 6, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2727 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2727/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA153 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. SOFT TERRAIN AND CONTAMINATION IN THE LEFT BRAKE CYLINDER WERE RELATED FACTORS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - contamination (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS LANDING IN A REMOTE AREA TO GO FISHING. THE LANDING AREA WAS COVERED WITH GRAVEL, ABOUT 1,000 FEET LONG, AND ORIENTED ON A 090/270 DEGREE HEADING. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE LANDED TO THE WEST; AS THE AIRPLANE NEARED THE END OF THE LANDING AREA, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND BEGAN A TURN AT TAXI SPEED. THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL APPEARED TO HIT A SOFT PORTION OF SAND, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. ON 8/28/95, AN AIRPLANE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE LEFT WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDER CONTAINED CONTAMINATION THAT PREVENTED THE BRAKE FROM RELEASING, ONCE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. AFTER BEING CLEANED, THE BRAKE CYLINDER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 1995, about 1245 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 180, N9797G, nosed over during the landing roll about 25 miles northwest of Nikiski, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Seward, Alaska at 1030. In a telephone conversation, the pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he was landing in a remote area to go fishing. The landing area is gravel covered, about 1,000 feet long and oriented on a 090/270 degree orientation. The pilot indicated that he landed to the west and as the airplane neared the end of the landing area, he applied the brakes and began a turn at taxi speed. The left main wheel appeared to hit a soft portion of sand and the airplane nosed over. On 8/28/95, an airplane mechanic confirmed that the airplane received damage to the right wing spar, left wing rib and vertical stabilizer rib. He also reported that the left wheel brake cylinder contained contamination that prevented the brake from releasing, once pressure was applied. After cleaning, the brake cylinder functioned properly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9797G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9797G), registered now, S/N 18052297 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052297 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Burton L. Powers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SWD, SEWARD, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14,250 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °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 19950817028539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950817028539A), Aug 17, 1995: Cessna 180J, Mikiski, AK, Substantial damage. Left brake binding landing on a sandbar. Began turn on end rollout. Nosed over. Brake cylinder contaminated binding 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.