# NTSB ANC95LA170: Cessna 180, N2940K, Port Alsworth, AK, September 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1995, 18:00 local (Sep 15, 1995, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Alsworth, AK
- Coordinates: 60.20026, -154.279144 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2003&lon=-154.2791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2740
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2740/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA170

## Probable cause

Failure of the main landing gear wheel that had been modified for a tundra tire.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,wheel - failure (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was landing his airplane at an off airport site. His airplane's main landing gear wheels were modified to accept oversize tundra tires. During the landing roll, the left wheel split apart and separated from the main landing gear leg. The left main landing gear stub subsequently dug into the ground, and the airplane nosed down.

## Factual narrative

On September 14, 1995, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N2940K, operated by the owner/pilot, sustained substantial damage during landing at an off airport site located approximately 85 miles west of Port Alsworth, Alaska. The solo airline transport certificated pilot was not injured. The personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.

The pilot reported he was performing a wheel landing on an unimproved site. Shortly after touchdown, the pilot applied braking action and the tailwheel began to settle. He said the left side brakes were very "soft" and he applied opposite rudder to maintain directional control. The pilot feels that the left wheel assembly was coming apart at this point. The left main landing gear stub subsequently dug into the landing surface, and the airplane went up on its nose and left wingtip.

Postaccident inspection by the pilot disclosed that the airplane's left wheel, which was modified for tundra tire use with Gar Aero adapters, had split vertically, and allowed the wheel halves to separate away from the landing gear leg.

Damage to the airplane consisted of, among other items, a bent left wing spar, a damaged left aileron and wing ribs.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2940K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2940K), registered now, S/N 18053136, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18053136
- Airframe hours: 1022
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard P. Elmquist
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1995, 11 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,831 total, 130 in this make and model, 1,864 as pilot in command, 156 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °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 19950914029819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950914029819A), Sep 14, 1995: Cessna 180K, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. Left main wheel split during wheel landing on remote strip. Strut dug in and aircraft went up on nose and wing tip.

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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