# NTSB GAA18CA492: Cessna 180, N9949N, Ambler, AK, August 15, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 15, 2018, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Ambler, AK - Coordinates: 67.050003, -158.910003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.0500&lon=-158.9100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98082 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA492 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98082/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98082 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA492 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the left wing and horizontal stabilizer striking the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 3,100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed the airplane on an upsloping, uneven sand bar. During the landing roll, the airplane's nose pivoted to the right, and the left wing and horizontal stabilizer struck the ground. The left-wing spar, the left aileron, and the left side of the vertical stabilizer and elevator sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed on a sloping and uneven sand bar. The area selected for the landing roll increased in elevation. During the landing roll the nose pivoted to the right, and the left wing and horizontal stabilizer struck the ground. The left wing spar, the left aileron, and the left side of the vertical stabilizer and elevator sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9949N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9949N), registered now, S/N 18052604, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 (J) - Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052604 - Year built: 1975 - Engines: Continental O-470 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Birchwood Aircraft Services LLC - Registered owner: Fox, Heather J. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BTT, Bettles, AK - Destination: BTT, Bettles, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 21, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,573 total, 1,565 in this make and model, 5,474 as pilot in command, 238 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: PAFM, 25 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 20180815014219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180815014219A), Aug 15, 2018: Cessna 180J, Ambler, AK, Substantial damage. Upon landing in the kubuck sand dunes, the aircraft tipped up onto its left wing damaging the wing and tail. Pilot indicated that before landing, there… ## Other investigations on N9949N (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 ANC26LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA089), Aug 19, 2026: Cessna 180J (N9949N), Bettles, AK, substantial damage, investigation ongoing - [NTSB ANC89FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA075), May 22, 1989: Cessna 180J (N9949N), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S POOR JUDGEMENT, AND HIS LACK OF INITIAL TRAINING (NONE) IN SEAPLANE OPERATIONS. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98082. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472802&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.