Cessna 180, N3186D: Accident occurred June 15, 2020 near Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA), Alaska

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska

https://registry.faa.gov/N3186D

Location:Fairbanks, AK 
Accident Number:ANC20LA060 
Date & Time: 06/15/2020, 1045 AKD
Registration: N3186D
Aircraft: Cessna 180
Injuries:3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On June 15, 2020, about 1045 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 180, N3186D, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fairbanks, Alaska. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The Cessna 180 was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that while on final approach to the float-pond at the Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA), Fairbanks, Alaska, all engine power was lost. He added that the propeller continued to windmill and that there were no unusual noises or notable changes. Subsequently the floatplane landed short of the float-pond and all occupants were able to egress with no further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

A review of PAFA Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control recordings revealed that the pilot was inbound from the north, requested to land on waterway 2, and never made a distress call or any other indication that something was wrong.

The airplane was recovered and retained for a future examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N3186D
Model/Series: 180
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAFA, 432 ft msl
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction:
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 None
Latitude, Longitude: 64.829444, -147.829444 (est)

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) A private Cessna 180 on floats crashed on grass next to a float pond at Fairbanks International Airport with three people aboard.

At about 10:44 a.m., the air traffic control tower alerted the Airport Police and Fire Department of the crash, and within minutes all of the department’s fire and police units arrived at the scene.

Chief Aaron Danielson reports only minor injuries from the incident. He said a crash like this one does not happen often. "You hope they never do happen. Aviation's a very safe environment, and luckily they don't occur frequently, but they do occur out here -- and that's why we have onsite fire crews ready to stand by to assist aircraft, whether it's a 737 or a Cessna 180 such as this situation, to go and help those individuals and make sure we can save life and property,” he said.

The cause of the incident is being investigated.

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