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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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October 22, 1988 · Cessna 180 · N820AK

Seldovia, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 22, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Seldovia, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N820AK
Operator
Cottrell David J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC89LA011

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND HIS CESSNA 180 AIRPLANE ON THE BEACH NEAR SELDOVIA, AK. THE MAIN LANDING GEAR ENCOUNTERED A SOFT SPOT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. AFTERWARD, THE PILOT ELECTED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE TO ITS HOME BASE 150 MILES FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE WITHOUT OBTAINING A FERRY PERMIT OR HAVING THE AIRPLANE EXAMINED BY A CERTIFIED AIRPLANE MECHANIC. THE AIRPLANE HAD SUSTAINED MAJOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE WING SPAR AND FUSELAGE. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT THE ACCIDENT UNTIL QUESTIONED BY THE NTSB.

Full Narrative

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND HIS CESSNA 180 AIRPLANE ON THE BEACH NEAR SELDOVIA, AK. THE MAIN LANDING GEAR ENCOUNTERED A SOFT SPOT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. AFTERWARD, THE PILOT ELECTED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE TO ITS HOME BASE 150 MILES FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE WITHOUT OBTAINING A FERRY PERMIT OR HAVING THE AIRPLANE EXAMINED BY A CERTIFIED AIRPLANE MECHANIC. THE AIRPLANE HAD SUSTAINED MAJOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE WING SPAR AND FUSELAGE. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT THE ACCIDENT UNTIL QUESTIONED BY THE NTSB.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN820AK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCottrell David J
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-U · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data