# NTSB GAA19CA402: Cessna 180, N91299, Talkeetna, AK, July 11, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 11, 2019, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.319442, -150.113327 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.3194&lon=-150.1133&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99818 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA402 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99818/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99818 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA402 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper soft-field landing technique, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel, tundra tire-equipped airplane reported that, before takeoff, while holding short of the runway, he set the parking brake and performed the engine runup. He released the parking brake, taxied onto the runway, and took off for a flight to a nearby airport. The pilot reported that he performed the Before Landing checklist before conducting a short- and soft-field landing on the damp, grass portion of the grass/gravel runway. He added that, about 2 seconds after touchdown, the tail began to lift. He confirmed that his feet were on the floor without actuating the brakes, and he maintained full back elevator control. As the airplane transitioned onto the gravel portion of the runway, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. Postaccident examination revealed that the parking brake was partially engaged. The pilot reported that the parking brake system was not damaged, but the system would not return to the "off" position without "jostling the cable." He added that he believed the parking brake system had become "sticky, requiring lubricant." However, given that there was no issue with the parking brake during takeoff, it is unlikely it resulted in the nose-over upon landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel, tundra tire-equipped airplane reported that, before takeoff, while holding short of the runway, he set the parking brake and performed the engine runup. He released the parking brake, taxied onto the runway, and performed a takeoff for a flight to a nearby airport. The pilot reported that he performed the before landing checklist. He performed a short and soft field landing on the damp, grass portion of the gravel/grass runway. He added that, about 2 seconds after touchdown, the tail began to lift. He confirmed that his feet were on the floor without actuating the brakes and maintained full back elevator control. As the airplane transitioned onto the gravel portion of the runway, the airplane quickly nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. Postaccident examination revealed that the parking brake was partially engaged. The pilot added that "no damage was indicated in the parking brake system," but the system would not return to the "OFF" position without "jostling the cable," which he believed had become "sticky," requiring lubricant. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91299](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91299), registered now, S/N 18052036 (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: 18052036 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 6390 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 2018 - Departed: TKA, Talkeetna, AK - Destination: AK44, Talkeetna, AK - Airport: AK44, Talkeetna Village Strip, runway 34, 1,600 × 30 ft, gravel - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,829 total, 168 in this make and model, 164 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: PAEC, 31 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 20190711009869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190711009869A), Jul 11, 2019: Cessna 180H, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot provided statement. Started aircraft. Performed after start checklist. Received weather information from Talkeetna flight service on 135.200 mhz.… ## Other investigations on N91299 (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 DEN69D0239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69D0239), Apr 24, 1969: Cessna 180H (N91299), Riverton, WY, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99818. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 234 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475625&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.