# NTSB SEA84LA014: Cessna 180, N4448P, Juneau, AK, October 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1983, 14:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Juneau, AK
- Coordinates: 58.580421, -134.77037 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.5804&lon=-134.7704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA014

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE PREFLT, HE THOUGHT THE FUEL GAUGES READ FULL. HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANKS. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WAS APRX 2500 FT & 4 MI FROM THE ARPT, WHEN THE PLT REALIZE THE PLANE HAD VERY LITTLE FUEL ON BOARD. HE TURNED BACK TO LAND, HOWEVER, THE ENG LOST POWER BEFORE THE PLANE REACHED THE ARPT. DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A RIVER BOTTOM, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUCK A DRAIN DITCH. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR, LEFT WING, ENG COWL & PROPELLER WERE DAMAGED.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4448P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4448P-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 31950, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31950
- Airframe hours: 4225
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Wayne Tarbox
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 9, 1983, 2 hours before
- Departed: JNU, JUNEAU, AK
- Airport: JNU, Juneau International, runway 8, 8,456 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,804 total, 2 in this make and model, 4,704 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JNU

## 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 19831031055789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831031055789A), Oct 31, 1983: Cessna 180, Juneau, AK, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on final. Landed short of runway in a river bed. Struck a ditch on the rollout.

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.

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