# NTSB ANC99LA037: Cessna 180, N3452D, Glennallen, AK, March 28, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1999, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Glennallen, AK
- Coordinates: 62.100994, -145.530746 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1010&lon=-145.5307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46042/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA037

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site. A factor associated with the accident was the soft, snow-covered terrain.

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot related he was landing his wheel equipped tailwheel airplane on a snow-covered airstrip.  During the landing roll, the left main tire encountered soft snow, and the pilot was unable to keep the airplane from becoming mired in the snow.  The airplane subsequently nosed over and received substantial dmage.

## Factual narrative

On March 28, 1999, about 1300 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N3452D, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Skelton Airstrip, about 55 miles west-southwest of Glennallen, Alaska.  The private pilot and the two passengers aboard were not injured.  The personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The flight last departed Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1200.  The destination was the Skelton Airstrip.

During a telephone conversation with an NTSB investigator on March 29, the pilot related he was landing to the south on packed snow.  During the landing roll, the pilot said the left main landing gear tire encountered soft snow.  He said the left main landing gear and tire sank into the snow, and he could not prevent the airplane from nosing over.

According to the pilot, the left wing tip, the left wing lift strut, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder, were damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3452D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3452D), registered now, S/N 32149, built 1955 (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: 32149
- Airframe hours: 7988
- Engines: Continental O-470K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph A. Masters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1998, 12 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: AZK
- Airport: AZK, Skelton, runway 21, 2,400 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 265 total, 125 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °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 19990328011809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990328011809A), Mar 28, 1999: Cessna 180, Glenallen, AK, Substantial damage. On March 28, 1999, about 1300 Alaska standard time, a sheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N3452D, sustained substantial damage while landing at the skelton…

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.

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