# NTSB ANC97LA060: Cessna 180K, N64337, Soldotna, AK, April 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 1997, 14:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Soldotna, AK - Coordinates: 60.320346, -150.789276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3203&lon=-150.7893&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 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2993 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2993/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA060 ## 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot was landing a tailwheel equipped airplane on a hard surface runway. The airplane was equipped with 26 inch tundra tires. During the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot applied right rudder, and right brake, but the airplane continued to veer to the left, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane then nosed over. The airport's automated weather observation system was reporting the wind conditions as 010 degrees at 7 knots. Following the accident, the pilot reported the wind conditions varied widely between 030 to 300 degrees, with wind gusts to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 1997, about 1440 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 180K, N64337, crashed during landing at the Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area proficiency flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Clearwater Air Inc., Soldotna, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Soldotna Airport, at 1437. On April 22, 1997, at 1330, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that he was landing on runway 07. The pilot was maintaining his flight proficiency. The airplane is equipped with 26 inch tundra tires. During the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the left. He applied right rudder, and right brake application, but the airplane continued to veer to the left, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane then nosed over. The airplane received damage to the vertical stabilizer, the left wing lift strut, and the right wing. The pilot indicated the weather conditions, as reported by the Soldotna, Alaska, automated weather observation system (AWOS) were: wind, 010 degrees at 7 knots; visibility, 40 statute miles; clear skies; temperature, 45 degrees F. Following the accident, the pilot reported the wind conditions varied widely between 030 to 300 degrees, with wind gusts to 15 knots. ## 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: 4715 - Engines: Continental O-520-KAH 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clearwater Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1996, 66 hours before - Departed: SXQ - Airport: SXQ, Soldotna, runway 7, 4,973 × 130 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 7 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °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 19970421006309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970421006309A), Apr 21, 1997: Cessna 180K, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. Tundra tire equipped 180 veered off runway and nosed over landing. Directional control reduced by tundra tires. ## 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 ANC96LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA003), Oct 7, 1995: Cessna 180K (N64337), Cold Bay, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area/terrain for landing. The submerged sandbar was a related factor. 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.