# NTSB ANC98LA156: Cessna 180, N2204C, Port Heiden, AK, September 23, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 23, 1998, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Port Heiden, AK - Coordinates: 56.96017, -158.579742 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9602&lon=-158.5797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 44016 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44016/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA156 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent activation of the brakes during the landing roll resulting in a ground loop/swerve. ## 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 - brakes(normal) - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot reported he was flying lodge guests to a remote, off-airport site. During the landing roll, he said he inadvertently had his right foot on the right brake, instead of the rudder bar. He inadvertently pushed on the right brake, when he was intending to push on the right rudder bar. The airplane subsequently ground looped to the right, and the left wing/elevator struck the ground. ## Factual narrative On September 23, 1998, about 0930 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N2204C, received substantial damage while landing at an off airport site about 15 miles east of Port Heiden, Alaska. The airline transport pilot and the three passengers aboard were not injured. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The operator was Painter Creek Lodge, and the purpose of the flight was to transport lodge clients to a hunting area. During a telephone conversation with an NTSB investigator on September 24, the pilot related that during the landing roll, he inadvertently depressed the right brake instead of the right rudder pedal. The airplane subsequently ground looped to the right, damaging the left wing and elevator. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2204C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2204C), registered now, S/N 30504, 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: 18030504 - Airframe hours: 4394 - Engines: Continental O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Joe Maxen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1998, 96 hours before - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,950 total, 150 in this make and model, 4,750 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - 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 19980923026389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980923026389A), Sep 23, 1998: Cessna 180, Port Heiden, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 23, 1998, about 1100 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N2204C, received substantial damage while landing at an off… ## Other investigations on N2204C (4) 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 ANC78DAG67](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78DAG67), Jun 8, 1978: Cessna 180A (N2204C), Dillingham, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC75DC001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75DC001), Jul 6, 1974: Cessna 180 (N2204C), Wichita, KS, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC73DCQ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73DCQ04), Jul 9, 1972: Cessna 180 (N2204C), Newton, KS, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC72FCQ34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72FCQ34), Nov 14, 1971: Cessna 180 (N2204C), Valley Cntr, KS, substantial damage 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.