Cessna 180K accident near Anchorage, Alaska, July 22, 2026
On July 22, 2026 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 1978 Cessna 180K, registered N180LW, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Anchorage, Alaska (Lake Hood 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 2026 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Anchorage, Alaska · Lake Hood · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180K, built 1978 · all 180Ks on the register
- Registration
- N180LW · registry record · serial 18052925
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fuel starvation during initial climb defining event
- Fuel starvation during initial climb
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,633.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 11, 2026
- Maximum gross weight: 3,190 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: PALH Anchorage AK at 10:30 pm
- Destination: PAMR Anchorage AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,500 ft; a few clouds at 300 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 2:03 pm from ALH
Weather report (METAR): PALH 202203Z 33003KT 7SM -RA FEW003 BKN055 OVC080 13/12 A3006 RMK AO2 P0000 T01280122
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.