# NTSB ANC99LA004: Cessna 180, N4955A, Anchorage, AK, October 15, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 15, 1998, 08:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.160846, -149.989273 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1608&lon=-149.9893&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 45237 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45237/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA004 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were a crosswind, and loose gavel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - aborted - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was landing to the west on a remote dirt road. He reported that as the airplane touched down, a strong gust of wind blew the airplane to the left, and the left wheel contacted loose gravel. The pilot stated that he applied full power in an attempt to abort the landing, but the airplane did not have sufficient airspeed to regain flight. The airplane veered off the road, and the left wheel struck a piece of driftwood. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane's left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, and fuselage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On October 15, 1998, about 0845 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N4955A, sustained substantial damage while landing at an off airport site located about 18 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, about 0815. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on October 15, the pilot reported that he was landing to the west on a remote dirt road. The pilot stated that while on approach to the west, he encountered winds from the north at 15 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. He reported that as the airplane touched down, a strong gust of wind blew the airplane to the left, and the left wheel contacted loose gravel. The pilot stated that he applied full power in an attempt to abort the landing, but the airplane did not have sufficient airspeed to regain flight. The airplane veered off the road, and the left wheel struck a piece of driftwood. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane's left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, and fuselage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4955A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4955A-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 32352 (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: 32352 - Airframe hours: 4800 - Engines: Continental O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lawrence Walter Seethalter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1998, 30 hours before - Departed: EDF, ELMENDORF AFB, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 676 total, 242 in this make and model, 676 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19981015035509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981015035509A), Oct 15, 1998: Cessna 180, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 15, 1998, about 0830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N4955A, sustained substantial damage while landing at an off… ## Other investigations on N4955A (2) 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 ANC11FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11FA037), May 27, 2011: Cessna 180 (N4955A), Chugiak, AK, substantial damage, 5 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of control of the airplane during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in make and model, his lack of… - [NTSB ANC01LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA023), Dec 14, 2000: Cessna 180 (N4955A), Chugiak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of a mechanic to ensure the throttle linkage was secure. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to take remedial action during an emergency landing and overrun. 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.