Cessna 180 accident near Fairbanks, Alaska, June 23, 2018
On June 23, 2018 at about 1:30 am local time, a 1955 Cessna 180, registered N3125D, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Fairbanks, Alaska (Gold King Creek airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the brake line tube due to an improper flare.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 23, 2018 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Fairbanks, Alaska · Gold King Creek · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180, built 1955 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N3125D · registry record · serial 31923
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he was landing with a right crosswind, and after touchdown, as the airplane began to decelerate, he applied left brake to maintain directional control. He stated that the left brake pedal was "soft" and traveled to its full forward limit. The airplane weathervaned and skidded sideways before the left main wheel went off the landing area and into brush. The left wing and left horizontal stabilizer impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot noted in a postflight examination that the brake line had separated at the compression fitting near the brake caliper where the brake line transitioned from a rigid line to a flexible line. A laboratory examination of the brake line and its components revealed that the interior surface of the failed end had circumferential marks consistent with formation of a flared end with a flaring tool. The sleeve was trapped within the nut from the failed end, and deposits of gray metal appearing consistent with deformed brake tube material were observed deposited on internal threads of the nut. According to Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular AC 43-13-1B, "Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices – Aircraft Inspection and Repair," a double flare is used on soft aluminum tubing having a 3/8-inch outside diameter or less. No evidence of folded walls consistent with a double flare was noted at either end of the brake line tube. No records could be found that showed the manufacture or assembly date of the fractured brake line components.
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
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Failure
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Related maintenance info
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › (general) › Other/unknown
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 181 hours in all; 132 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 145 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 30, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,192.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 7, 2018; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 SERIES (piston); 267 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FAI Fairbanks AK
- Destination: AK7 Fairbanks AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 14 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft; scat at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 24, 2020. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Materials Laboratory | PDF, 5 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 N3125D 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.