Cessna 180 N7066

Summary

On 31 December 1996 at about 21:00 local time, a Cessna 180 registered N7066 was involved in an accident near St Mary's, Alaska, United States. 2 people were 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

31 December 1996 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

St Mary's, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

St Mary's (KSM)

Coordinates

62.0592, -163.2906

Aircraft

Cessna 180

Registration

N7066

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bethel → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC97TA016

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, and subsequent loss of engine power. Factors associated with the accident were the presence of ice crystals in the atmosphere, and unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger were landing at the conclusion of a cross-country, state-government flight. The pilot began a straight-in approach and applied carburetor heat about 600 feet above the ground in preparation for landing. The engine began to run rough. The pilot continued with the approach, and about 300 feet above the ground, increased the throttle. The engine lost power, and the pilot performed an emergency landing off the left side of the runway. The weather conditions were clear, temperature was -2 degrees F, and dew point was -8 degrees F. The pilot reported observing visible ice crystals. After recovery of the airplane, an engine examination did not disclose any mechanical malfunction. The engine ran at idle RPM with the carburetor heat control in the 'Hot' and 'Cold' positions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.