# NTSB GAA15CA267: Cessna 180H, N4763U, Delta Junction, AK, September 13, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 12, 2015, 16:00 local (Sep 13, 2015, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Delta Junction, AK - Coordinates: 64.029441, -146.830276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.0294&lon=-146.8303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92023 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA267 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92023/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92023 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA267 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain and maintain yaw control during the approach and attempted go around, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was making an approach to an airstrip along the bank of a river. During the approach to landing, on short final, the airplane encountered a right quartering tailwind. The airplane drifted left of course and the sink rate increased beyond what the pilot had planned. The pilot reported that he added power to go around, but did not apply enough right rudder to compensate for wind and the power setting. Subsequently, the airplane yawed left, impacted trees, and bounced one time before coming to rest on a gravel bar. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, aileron, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was making an approach to an airstrip along the bank of a river. During the approach to landing, on short final, the airplane encountered a right quartering tailwind. The airplane drifted left of course and the sink rate increased beyond what the pilot had planned. The pilot reported that he added power to go around, but did not apply enough right rudder to compensate for wind and the power setting. Subsequently, the airplane yawed left, impacted trees, and bounced one time before coming to rest on a gravel bar. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, aileron, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4763U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4763U), registered now, S/N 18051463, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H - Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051463 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 3808 - Engines: CONTINENTAL MOTORS O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2015 - Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK - Destination: Delta Junction, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 9, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 488 total, 198 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 11 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: PABI, 29 nm away ## 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 20150912017149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150912017149A), Sep 12, 2015: Cessna 180H, Delta Junction, AK, Substantial damage. On approach, the wind shifted from calm to right quartering tailwind causing a loss of lift. The sink rate increased to a point that the desired point of… ## Other investigations on N4763U (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 ANC77DAG60](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAG60), May 15, 1977: Cessna 180 (N4763U), Paxson, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC76DAH25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH25), May 25, 1976: Cessna 180 (N4763U), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92023. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432399&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF 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.