Cessna 180 accident near Whittier, AK
On April 14, 2015, a Cessna 180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Whittier, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 14, 2015
- Place
- Whittier, AK
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 60.707°N, 148.104°W
- NTSB ID
- 20150415X25713
Official records · ANC15FA021
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Air Traffic Control: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Air Traffic Control - Specialist Report: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Air Traffic Control Recording - Specialist's Factual Report (Partial Transcript): Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn April 14, 2015, about 1330 Alaska daylight time (AKD), a wheel-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N9247C, is presumed to have sustained substantial damage during impact with ocean waters, about 18 miles east of Whittier, Alaska, following a reported loss of engine power. The airplane was being operated as an instrument flight rules (IFR) cross-country personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, when the accident occurred. The instrument rated private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained fatal injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed along the route of flight, and the airplane was operating on an IFR flight plan. The flight departed the Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska, about 1205, en route to the Valdez Airport, Valdez, Alaska. According to a family member the purpose of the flight was for the pilot to attend a business meeting. The airplane was equipped with a Spidertracks flight tracking system, which provides real-time aircraft flight tracking data. The flight tracking information is transmitted via Iridium satellites to an internet based storage location, at 2-minute intervals. The airplane's last known location was near the eastern shoreline of Culross Island, at an altitude of 69 feet, traveling at 80 knots, on a heading of about 270 degrees. An alert notice was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Kenai Flight Service Station at 1336 and a search was conducted by personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska State Troopers, and Alaska Air National Guard, a
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to continue flight into known icing conditions, contrary to the airplane’s limitations, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to icing.
More accidents in AK
- Beech 1900C, Nov 23, 1987
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Browse: Alaska · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
