# NTSB ANC98LA015: Cessna 180H, N9737G, Chugiak, AK, January 8, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 8, 1998, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Chugiak, AK - Coordinates: 61.410987, -149.169128 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4110&lon=-149.1691&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3110 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3110/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA015 ## Probable cause the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the crusty, snow covered surface of the airstrip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot was landing a tailwheel equipped airplane on a small snow covered airstrip. The surface of the snow was compacted by numerous snow machine tracks. After performing a low pass to assess the runway, the pilot proceeded to land. During the landing roll, the left tire broke through the crusty surface of the snow and sank. The airplane nosed over and received damage to the right wing, the right wing lift strut, the vertical stabilizer, and the propeller. ## Factual narrative On January 8, 1998, about 1530 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180H airplane, N9737G, sustained substantial damage during a landing at the Bold Airstrip, located about 15 miles east of Chugiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1515. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on January 9, 1998, at 0730, the pilot reported he was landing on runway 14. The surface conditions consisted of snow that was compacted by numerous snow machine tracks. The pilot performed several low passes to assess the runway, and then proceeded to land. During the landing roll, the left tire broke through the crusty snow surface, and sank. The airplane nosed over, and received damage to the right wing lift strut, the right wing, the vertical stabilizer, and the propeller. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9737G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9737G), registered now, S/N 18052237, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180H - Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52237 - Airframe hours: 2599 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark S. Burg - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 13, 1997, 99 hours before - Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: A13 - Airport: A13, Bold, runway 14, 1,000 × 30 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 945 total, 220 in this make and model, 920 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19980108001719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980108001719A), Jan 8, 1998: Cessna 180H, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Left tire broke thru compact snow on runway landing. Nosed over. (.4)the pilot was landing a tailwheel equipped airplane on a small snow covered airstrip. The… ## Other investigations on N9737G (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 ANC93LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA041), Mar 8, 1993: Cessna 180H (N9737G), Port Alsworth, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT IN COMMAND ENTERING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW/WHITEOUT 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.