# NTSB GAA17CA134: Cessna 180, N5222E, Tyonek, AK, January 30, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 29, 2017, 15:00 local (Jan 30, 2017, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Tyonek, AK - Coordinates: 61.220001, -152.160003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2200&lon=-152.1600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 4, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94700 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94700/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94700 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA134 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to land on a snow-covered airstrip with a tundra tire-equipped airplane, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: wheel/ski/float](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tundra tire- and tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while on the flight back to his home airport, he decided to land on a snow-covered airstrip. He flew over the landing area three times before deciding on the fourth pass to attempt a full-stop landing. During the touchdown of the three-point landing, he realized the snow was deeper than he had expected, and the airplane decelerated rapidly. The pilot increased power, but the airplane continued to sink in the snow. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and slid to a stop inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tundra tire and tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that while on the flight back to his home airport, he decided to land on a snow-covered airstrip. The pilot further reported that he flew over the landing area three times before deciding on the fourth pass to attempt a full stop landing. During the touchdown of the 3-point landing, he realized the snow was deeper than he had expected and the airplane decelerated rapidly. The pilot reported that he increased power, but the airplane continued to sink in the snow. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and slid to a stop inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its empennage. The pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5222E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5222E), registered now, S/N 50522, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 180B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180b) (registry code 2072606) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50522 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 7327 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-R-13 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2016 - Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: ENA, KENAI, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 6, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 350 total, 100 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: PAEN, 47 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 20170129005389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170129005389A), Jan 29, 2017: Cessna 180B, Chakachchakacha, AK, Substantial damage. List of events 29JAN2017 I departed lake hood strip with my daughter and father in law for kenai. My departure notification to family via text failed to… ## Other investigations on N5222E (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 ANC90LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA041), Mar 22, 1990: Cessna 180 (N5222E), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE ROUGH TERRAIN, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AND RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THAT MODEL AIRPLANE. - [NTSB ANC72DAG62](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC72DAG62), Sep 17, 1971: Cessna 180 (N5222E), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 16, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94700. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450030&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 397 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.