# NTSB ANC99LA102: Cessna 180A, N6180, Gustavus, AK, August 1, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1999, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Gustavus, AK - Coordinates: 58.42033, -135.78038 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.4203&lon=-135.7804&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 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46875 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46875/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA102 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent 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 - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot had landed on runway 28. He stated that the touchdown and the landing roll were uneventful, until the airplane's nose veered slightly to the right. He compensated by applying full left rudder, but the airplane suddenly ground looped to the right. During the ground loop the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing collided with the runway. The left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. Wind conditions at the time of the accident were reported to be from 190 degrees at 5 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 1999, about 1415 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180A airplane, N6180, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Gustavus Airport, Gustavus, 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 certificated commercial pilot, and the one passenger aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 2, the pilot reported that he had just landed on runway 28. He stated that the touchdown and the landing roll were uneventful, until the airplane's nose veered slightly to the right. He said he compensated by applying full left rudder, but the airplane suddenly ground looped to the right. During the ground loop the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing collided with the runway. The left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. Wind conditions at the time of the accident were reported to be from 190 degrees at 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6180](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6180), registered now, S/N 32966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180A - Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32966 - Airframe hours: 4363 - Engines: Continental O-470K 230 lbs thrust reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chuck Milton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1999, 73 hours before - Departed: PAJN, JUNEAU, AK - Airport: GST, Gustavus, runway 28, 6,700 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,100 total, 400 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °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 19990801010279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990801010279A), Aug 1, 1999: Cessna 180A, Gustavus, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed on landing. (-23) aircraft landed on runway 28 in Gustavus with a 6K crosswind at 10:00 o'clock. On roll out, pilot lost control of aircraft and… ## Other investigations on N6180 (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 CEN09CA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA005), Oct 6, 2008: Cessna 180A (N6180), St. Louis, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. 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.