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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 1, 1993 · Cessna 180 · N3680C

Sparrevohn, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 1, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sparrevohn, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N3680C
Operator
Kieling Harry J Jr
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC93LA132

JUST AS THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT TO TOUCH DOWN A CARIBOU APPEARED ON THE RUNWAY, IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT BALLOONED THE AIRPLANE OVER THE CARIBOU THEN TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY. HE THEN LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE, CAUSING THE LEFT WING AND TAIL TO HIT THE GROUND. THE PILOT HAD ABORTED HIS FIRST APPROACH BECAUSE OF A CARIBOU ON THE RUNWAY.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS THE ANIMAL ON THE RUNWAY.

Full Narrative

On July 31, 1993, at 1805 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N3680C, lost control and dragged a wing while landing at Sparrevohn Long Range Radar Station (LRRS), Alaska. The commercial pilot and one passenger, his 19 year old son, were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Six Mile Lake, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, at 1607. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. Following the accident, during a telephone interview, the pilot stated the following in part: "I aborted my first approach and made a go around because a bull caribou suddenly showed up in my intended touchdown area. A resident at Sparrevohn came out with a vehicle and chased the caribou away. All appeared well for the second approach until just before I was to touch down, a caribou darted in front of me from the right side. The airplane ballooned over the caribou then touched down on the runway. I then lost directional control and the airplane ground looped, causing the left wing, elevator and horizontal stabilizer to hit the ground. I had seen several caribou near the runway during the approach, but did not see this one until I almost hit it. I was landing up hill with an 8 knot tailwind. The gravel runway was dry and smooth at the time."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:05 AKDT
Nearest AirportSparrevohn Lrrs (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length4100 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN3680C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKieling Harry J Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-A · Reciprocating · 225
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 12 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:05
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data