# NTSB ANC97LA076: Cessna 180F, N2175Z, Ketchikan, AK, May 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 1997, 13:13 local (21:13 UTC) - Place: Ketchikan, AK - Coordinates: 55.610382, -131.579315 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6104&lon=-131.5793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3008 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3008/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA076 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor relating to the accident was: the unfavorable wind condition with gusts and downdrafts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis The pilot was landing a float equipped airplane in a harbor. About 100 feet above the water, the airplane encountered a strong downdraft. The pilot applied full power, but the airplane continued to descend. The airplane contacted the water, the right float partially submerged, and the right wing struck the water. The floats separated from the fuselage, and the airplane then sank. The wind conditions in the harbor were reported to be 12 knots with gusts to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 1997, about 1313 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 180F, N2175Z, crashed during landing at Ketchikan, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area business flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Juneau Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported the pilot loaded cargo into the airplane while docked at the Ketchikan International Airport. The pilot utilizes the airplane in support of a logging operation. The pilot departed in an eastbound direction toward the Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base. In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported he was in the landing approach with full flaps. About 100 feet above the water, the airplane encountered a strong downdraft. The pilot applied full power but the airplane continued to descend. The airplane contacted the water, the right float partially submerged, and the right wing struck the water. The floats separated from the fuselage and the airplane then sank. At 1253, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) from the Ketchikan Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) was reporting in part: Wind, 110 degrees (true) at 9 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; sky condition and ceiling, 5,000 feet scattered, 20,000 feet scattered; temperature, 68 degrees F; dew point, 26 degrees F; altimeter, 30.07 inHg; remarks, harbor wind, 140 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 20 knots. An NTSB pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) was not returned by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2175Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2175Z-2007-05-31), registration cancelled 2007-05-31, S/N 18051275, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180F - Registry model: [Cessna 180F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180f) (registry code 2072614) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051275 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Larry A. Craik - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KTN, AK - Destination: 5KE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KTN, 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 19970521011639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970521011639A), May 21, 1997: Cessna 180F, Ketchikan, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft encountered wind shear on landing an aircraft flipped and sank. (.4)the pilot was landing a float equipped airplane in a harbor. About 100 feet above… 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.