Probable cause
A mid-air collision for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that while in level cruise flight over an area of remote and unpopulated terrain, at an altitude of about 1,500 ft mean sea level, he noticed a dark flash in the upper left corner of the windscreen. He immediately pitched the nose of the airplane down and to the right to avoid another airplane. With his airplane operating normally and unaware that the two airplanes had contacted each other, he continued to his destination airport. During a postflight inspection, he noticed black marks and metal damage on the upper surface of the left wing.
A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the left wing and what appeared to be a black tire mark. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The other aircraft involved has not been identified.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC22LA002 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 13, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Chickaloon, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 180J
- N-number
- N9966N
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1975
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.