# NTSB GAA17CA521: Cessna 180, N8249V, Ambler, AK, September 5, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 4, 2017, 16:00 local (Sep 5, 2017, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Ambler, AK - Coordinates: 67.874443, -156.931671 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.8744&lon=-156.9317&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 27, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95962 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA521 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95962/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95962 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA521 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath to an off-airport landing site. ## 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: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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, during landing on an off-airport gravel bar, the airplane touched down about 30 ft short of the intended landing area. Subsequently, the right wheel struck a large rock, the gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on an off-airport gravel bar, the airplane touched down about 30 ft. short of the intended landing area. Subsequently, the right wheel struck a large rock, the gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8249V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8249V), registered now, S/N 18051751, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (H) - 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: 18051751 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 4215.81 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2017 - Departed: OBU, KOBUK, AK - Destination: Ambler, AK - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 23, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,500 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: PAFM, 51 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 20170904020709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170904020709A), Sep 4, 2017: Cessna 180H, Ambler, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he was looking for a beach to land on along the noatak river. Found a gravel bar that looked suitable to land. Over flew the gravel bar 2 times to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95962. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 652 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457747&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 658 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.