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ANC14CA078

2014-09-12 · Nenana, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport PANN

Current FAA registration · N2419F

Make / Model
CESSNA 180H
Year of manufacture
1965 · 49 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES (230 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19990903
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A2374F

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing during dark night conditions.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was landing a float-equipped airplane, during dark night conditions, in a 100 foot wide water lane that was adjacent to a lighted runway. The pilot said that as he approached his destination, he activated the lights on the adjacent runway to gain reference of the water's surface. On touchdown, the airplane bounced and became airborne. He recovered from the bounce, and added engine power to cushion the landing, but the airplane veered to the left, and the floats collided with the shoreline. The airplane continued onshore and it subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he was landing a float-equipped airplane, during dark night conditions, in a 100 foot wide water lane that was adjacent to a lighted runway. The pilot said that as he approached his destination, he activated the lights on the adjacent runway to gain reference of the water's surface. On touchdown, the airplane bounced and became airborne. He recovered from the bounce, and added engine power to cushion the landing, but the airplane veered to the left, and the floats collided with the shoreline. The airplane continued onshore and it subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.   The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Light condition-Dark-Effect on operation
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Incorrect use/operation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2014_ANC14CA078.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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