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July 5, 2020 · Cessna 180 · N9185T

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 5, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 180 (1960)
Tail Number
N9185T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC20LA065

According to the pilot, and corroborated by video capturing the accident, during a normal touchdown in a float-equipped airplane, the left float dug into the water and the airplane veered abruptly and nosed over. A postaccident examination revealed a large hole in the bottom of the left float just forward of the step. Corrosion was present around the hole and no impact signatures were present on the bottom of the float. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of control during the water landing due to the failure of the left float due to corrosion.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the left float bottom due to corrosion, which resulted in a loss of control during the water landing.

Full Narrative

On July 5, 2020, about 1115 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 180C airplane, N9185T, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Anchorage, Alaska. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, they were returning from a remote lake to Lake Hood Airport (PALH) in the float-equipped airplane. The pilot stated that the departure was normal, with about 10 to 12 mph of wind on the lake, creating a light chop on the water's surface. Upon touchdown at PALH, the left float dug into the water and the airplane veered abruptly and nosed over. He stated that they quickly exited the sinking wreckage. A video captured the accident sequence and revealed that the airplane touched down on about the step of the floats before abruptly veering to the left. The right wing contacted the water and the airplane veered back to the right, and then to the left, before the airplane nosed over. A postaccident examination of the left float revealed a large hole in the bottom of the float just forward of the step. (See Figure 1.) Corrosion was present around the hole and no impact signatures were present on the bottom of the float. Figure 1 - Accident airplane at accident site, hole visible in left float. Photo courtesy of KTVA.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 AKDT
Nearest AirportLAKEHOOD (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN9185T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 81 · Basc · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 13 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 52
Altimeter0
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data