# NTSB ANC99LA115: Cessna 180, N49JT, Sand Point, AK, August 3, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 1999, 20:00 local (Aug 3, 1999, 04:00 UTC) - Place: Sand Point, AK - Coordinates: 55.259803, -160.659912 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.2598&lon=-160.6599&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): 47161 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47161/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA115 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor in the accident was a large rock. ## 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 - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot, with one passenger aboard, was landing on a remote gravel-covered beach. During the initial touchdown, the left main wheel struck a large rock, and the airplane veered to the left. The pilot was able to correct for the veer, and brought the airplane to a stop. A postlanding inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage at the left main landing gear attach point, and the left door post assembly. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 1999, about 2000 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N49JT, sustained substantial damage while landing at a remote beach site, located about 18 miles southwest of Sand Point, Alaska, at 55.13 north latitude, 160.50 west longitude. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand charter flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot, and the sole passenger aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated about 1945 from Unga Village, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 12, the pilot reported he was landing on a gravel-covered beach. He stated that during the initial touchdown, the left main wheel struck a large rock, and the airplane veered to the left. He said that he was able to correct for the veer, and brought the airplane to a stop. A postlanding inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage at the left main landing gear attach point, and the left door post assembly. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49JT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49JT), registered now, S/N 30834, built 1954 (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: 30834 - Engines: Lycoming O-470K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Shumagin Air Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: UNGA VILLAGE, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,400 total, 5,400 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19990802024699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990802024699A), Aug 2, 1999: Cessna 180, Sand Point, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 2, 1999, about 2000 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N49JT, sustained substantial damage while landing at a remote… ## Other investigations on N49JT (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 ANC04LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA007), Nov 9, 2003: Cessna 180 (N49JT), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over during the landing roll. A factor contributing to the accident was the presence of deep/soft snow. 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.