# NTSB SEA86LA021: Cessna 180D, N15721, Wrangell, AK, November 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1985, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Wrangell, AK
- Coordinates: 56.40932, -131.609085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.4093&lon=-131.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40331
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40331/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA021

## Analysis

A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ONTO MUSKEG DUE TO A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED A 180 DEGREE TURN AWAY FROM A FOG BANK WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE LEFT FUEL TANK CONTAINED 7 1/2 GALLONS AND THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED 1 1/2 QUARTS OF FUEL. THE ENGINE WAS TEST RAN AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND RAN NORMALLY. THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS PROBABLY DUE TO FUEL FLOW INTERUPTION FROM THE 180 TURN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N15721 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180D
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051018
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tamico Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GRIEF ISLAND, AK
- Destination: SPB, PETERSBURG, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast

## 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 19851104074259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851104074259A), Nov 4, 1985: Cessna 180D, Wrangell, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit during turn and a hard landing was made on muskeg. Right tank contained small amount of fuel.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.