Cessna 180 accident near Kenai, Alaska, May 9, 1992
On May 9, 1992 at about 1:30 am local time, a Cessna 180, registered N2940C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kenai, Alaska. 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 PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 9, 1992 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Kenai, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N2940C · no longer on the register · serial 30840
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS ON THE BASE LEG FOR LANDING ON THE KENAI RIVER WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER. HE WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE RIVER SO HE LANDED ON A ROAD. DURING THE FORCED LANDING SEQUENCE THE AIRPLANE STRUCK SOME TREES BEFORE LANDING ON THE ROAD. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE SHOWED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT STATED HE FELT IT WAS CARBURETOR ICE WHICH CAUSED THE POWER LOSS. HE WAS CARRYING ONLY 15 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE DURING THE MANEUVERING AND TRAFFIC PATTERN AND HAD APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT. HE DID NOT KNOW IF THE CARBURETOR HEAT WAS OPERATING.
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; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 299 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 236 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,779 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 21, 1991; 79 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,820 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-K (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Jackoloff Bay AK at 7:30 pm
- Destination: Kenai River AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Other NTSB records under N2940C 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.