Cessna 180 accident near Fairbanks, Alaska, April 25, 1988
On April 25, 1988 at about 4:45 am local time, a Cessna 180, registered N91290, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fairbanks, Alaska (Fairbank Int'L airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was 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
- April 25, 1988 · about 4:45 am local time
- Place
- Fairbanks, Alaska · Fairbank Int'L · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N91290 · registry record · serial 18052030
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT RETURNED TO FAIRBANKS INT'L AIRPORT FROM AN INTENDED CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT DUE TO DETERIORATING WEATHER. DURING THE FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE FELT OUT OF TRIM, AND SHE ELECTED TO LAND ON THE LONGEST RUNWAY AVAILABLE (10,300). DURING THE LANDING ROLL SHE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND GROUND-LOOPED TO THE RIGHT. SHE SAID SHE HAD NOT FLOWN FOR AT LEAST 90 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 862 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 795 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 855 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 28, 1988; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 19R, 10,300 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 12,000 ft; scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:51 pm from FAI
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket 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.