Cessna 180 accident near Kasilof, Alaska, August 23, 2015
On August 23, 2015 at about 4:20 am local time, a 1954 Cessna 180, registered N3043E, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Kasilof, Alaska (Kasilof airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on postaccident examination and testing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 23, 2015 · about 4:20 am local time
- Place
- Kasilof, Alaska · Kasilof · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180, built 1954 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N3043E · no longer on the register · serial 30898
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness stated that he saw the accident airplane operating at a low level over the beach. When the airplane was directly in front of him, it pitched up to about 45 degrees and climbed to about 100 ft above the trees located on the bluff overlooking the water. After lowering the nose to a level pitch attitude, he heard a reduction in engine power followed by a sound consistent with an engine misfiring. The airplane disappeared from view, and the engine noise ceased. Immediately after, a loud sound consistent with an impact was heard and a postimpact fire consumed the wreckage. Based on the witness statement, in combination with the absence of power signatures on the propeller in the wreckage, it is likely the engine was not producing rated power at the time of the accident. A NTSB postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. An engine test run was conducted following the replacement of impact- and thermal-damaged components. The engine experienced a normal start and accelerated normally without any hesitation, stumbling, or interruption in power, and demonstrated the ability to produce rated horsepower.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,678 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,231.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 15, 2014
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 SERIES (piston); 4,527 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 5KS Kasilof AK
- Destination: 5KS Kasilof AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.62 inHg
- Observation at 4:16 am from PASX, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on March 21, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Medical Factual Report | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - Witness | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation - Witness 2 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Engine Detail Specification | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N3043E the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.