# NTSB ANC99LA077: Cessna 180A, N5218D, Fairbanks, AK, June 15, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 1999, 12:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Location: 65.0588° N, 146.0775° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from CHENA HOT SPRINGS (AK13), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.0588&lon=-146.0775&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46569 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46569/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA077 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision during a go-around. A factor was the pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path to the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - go-around - initiated, pilot in command - object - tree(s) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The certificated airline transport pilot was beginning a landing approach at a private airport. The airport was located in an open area of flat terrain along a creek drainage, surrounded by rising, tree covered terrain. The pilot said he planned to conduct a fly-by inspection of the airport before landing. He turned onto the final approach, and decided to skip the fly-by. He discovered he was high on the glide path, and began a go-around. He indicated he did not analyze a go-around track until he started the maneuver. He began a turn to the left, but the terrain was visually deceiving, and rising steeply. The pilot then turned to the right, but the airplane was unable to out-climb the terrain. The airplane collided with trees, about 1/2 mile west of the airport. ## Factual narrative On June 15, 1999, about 1245 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180A airplane, N5218D, sustained substantial damage after colliding with trees about 1/2 mile west of the Chena Hot Springs Airport, a private airport about 42 miles northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the McKinley National Park Airport, about 1200. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), responded to the accident scene, and talked with the pilot. The inspector reported that the pilot was beginning a landing approach to runway 25. The pilot began a go-around by starting a left turn. The pilot observed rising terrain in the direction of the left turn, and initiated a turn to the right. During the turn, the airplane was unable to climb above the trees, and collided with several spruce trees. The airplane received extensive damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot completed a Pilot/Operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2). In the narrative portion of the report, the pilot said he planned to conduct a fly-by inspection of the airport before landing. He turned onto the final approach, and decided to skip the fly-by. He discovered he was high on the glide path, and began a go-around. He indicated he did not analyze a go-around track until he started the maneuver. He began a turn to the left, but the terrain was visually deceiving, and rising steeply. The pilot then turned to the right, but the airplane was unable to out-climb the terrain. The Chena Hot Springs airport has a reported elevation of 1,195 feet msl. The airport is located in an open area of essentially flat terrain, along a creek drainage. Except for the creek drainage, the airport is surrounded by rising, tree-covered hills. The gravel/turf runway, oriented 070/250 degrees magnetic, is 2,000 feet long and 50 feet wide. The Alaska Supplement/Facility Directory states, in part: "Runway 07, approach in Creek Valley; runway muddy and washed, 6 to 12 inches deep; not maintained." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5218D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5218D-2003-08-25), registration cancelled 2003-08-25, S/N 50116, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180A - Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50116 - Airframe hours: 4776 - Engines: Continental O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wilfred C. Benitez - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1998, 75 hours before - Departed: PAIN, MCKINLEY PARK, AK - Destination: AK13, CHENA SPRINGS, AK - Airport: AK13, Chena Hot Springs, runway 25, 2,000 × 50 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; flight engineer, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,375 total, 80 in this make and model, 4,400 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 122 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19990615021659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990615021659A), Jun 15, 1999: Cessna 180A, Chena Hot Sprin, AK, Substantial damage. On June 15, 1999, about 1245 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180A airplane, N5218D, was destroyed after colliding with trees about 1/2 mile west… ## Other investigations on N5218D (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 ANC77DAG10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAG10), Jun 26, 1976: Cessna 180 (N5218D), Mcgrath, AK, 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.