Cessna 180A N81958

Summary

On 7 August 2001 at about 23:00 local time, a Cessna 180A registered N81958 was involved in an accident near Arctic Village, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 August 2001 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Arctic Village, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

68.6322, -144.8972

Aircraft

Cessna 180A

Registration

N81958

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fairbanks → Arctic Village

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC01LA111

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat during a go-around. Factors in the accident were carburetor icing conditions, and high vegetation in the landing area.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airline transport certificated pilot intended to fly to a remote river, but the intended route of flight was obscured by clouds over nearby mountain tops. The pilot said he decided to land toward the north on a gravel bar along the river. The landing area was about 800 feet long, and 100 feet wide. The pilot said he made three low passes over the gravel bar, and then began the landing approach. He said he applied engine carburetor heat when he was abeam the landing threshold. As the airplane descended toward the ground, the pilot noticed the gravel bar contained larger rocks than he liked. He began a go-around about 30 feet above the ground by applying full engine power. The pilot said the engine sputtered and the airplane settled onto the gravel. As the airplane touched down, the engine returned to full power. The airplane lifted off, but collided with willow bushes and nosed over. The pilot said he encountered continuous carburetor icing during the flight, and applied carburetor heat every few minutes.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.