# NTSB ANC96LA034: Cessna 180, N2905A, Anchorage, AK, March 16, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1996, 17:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.159801, -149.989791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1598&lon=-149.9898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2808
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2808/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA034

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of the brakes during landing.  The snow berm along the edge of the runway was a factor.

## Analysis

The student pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings.  During the last landing, the right tire locked and the airplane swerved to the right and collided with a snow bank.  The pilot had accrued 33 hours of flight experience in the airplane, with 10 hours as the solo pilot.

## Factual narrative

On March 16, 1996, at 1755 Alaska standard time, a tailwheel- equipped Cessna 180, N2905A, crashed during landing at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flight when the accident occurred.  The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  The pilot, holder of a student pilot certificate and the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at Merrill Field about 1650.

The pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 24 at Merrill Field.  He decided to land on runway 33 at the end of the practice.  When the wheel equipped airplane touched down, the pilot indicated that the right tire locked and the airplane swerved to the right and collided with a snow bank.  The airplane received damage to the left wing tip and aileron.  In the pilot/operator report submitted by the pilot, he indicated that there was no mechanical malfunction.  The pilot had accrued 33 hours of flight experience in the airplane, with 10 hours as the solo pilot.  The wind conditions were reported as 070 degrees at 3 knots.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2905A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2905A), registered now, S/N 30105, built 1953 (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: 30105
- Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald Kowalski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MRI
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 33, 2,640 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 33 total, 33 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 135 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI, 1 nm away

## 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 19960316005809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960316005809A), Mar 16, 1996: Cessna 180, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Right wheel reportedly locked landing. Swerved into snowbank. Cause lock up not stated.

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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