# NTSB ANC96LA003: Cessna 180K, N64337, Cold Bay, AK, October 7, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 7, 1995, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Cold Bay, AK - Coordinates: 55.219032, -162.779769 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.2190&lon=-162.7798&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2778 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2778/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA003 ## Probable cause the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area/terrain for landing. The submerged sandbar was a related factor. ## 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 - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - terrain condition - sand bar (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, taxi - from landing ## Analysis The pilot was positioning the float-equipped airplane in support of hunting clients. He circled a lagoon to assess the wind and water conditions. After landing, as the airplane was slowing off the step, the floats struck a submerged sand bar. The airplane nosed over but remained floating upside down. The pilot reported that overcast skies and the color of the lagoon bottom prevented him from seeing the sandbar. ## Factual narrative On October 7, 1995, about 1200 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 180K, N64337, collided with a sandbar while taxiing from landing, in Christianson Lagoon on Unimak Island, about 55 miles southwest of Cold Bay, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area positioning flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Clearwater Air Inc., Soldotna, Alaska, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed from Bear Lake, Port Moller, Alaska, about 1045. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported that the pilot was positioning the airplane in support of hunting clients. The pilot indicated that he circled the lagoon to assess the wind and water conditions. The pilot landed to the west and as the airplane was slowing off the step, the floats struck a submerged sand bar. The pilot reported that overcast skies and the color of the lagoon bottom prevented him from seeing the sand bar. After colliding with the sandbar, the airplane nosed over but remained floating upside down. The airplane received damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64337](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64337), registered now, S/N 18052891, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Colvin O-520-EXP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/colvin-o-520-exp) (registry code 16900, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052891 - Airframe hours: 4470 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-520 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clearwater Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 28, 1995, 20 hours before - Departed: PORT MOLLER, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 225 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 20 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 50 °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 19951007037009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951007037009A), Oct 7, 1995: Cessna 180K, Cold Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Floatplane struck submerged sandbar on coming off step from water landing nosed over. Floated upside down. ## Other investigations on N64337 (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC97LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA060), Apr 21, 1997: Cessna 180K (N64337), Soldotna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate compensation for cross conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor relating to the accident was: the variable/gusty/crosswind condition. 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.