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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 2, 1994 · Cessna 180B · N5143E

Fort Yukon, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Fort Yukon, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 180B
Tail Number
N5143E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC94LA131

THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE DEPARTING A REMOTE LAKE IN A FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE AS THE RETURN PORTION OF A CROSS-COUNTRY PERSONAL FLIGHT AT THE CONCLUSION OF A HUNTING TRIP. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE PILOT REPORTED USING 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS THAT HE LOWERED TO 20 DEGREES WHEN THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT BREAK FREE FROM THE WATER SURFACE. THE WATER CONDITIONS WERE SMOOTH AND GLASSY. WHEN THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY, THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE'S FORWARD MOMENTUM CARRIED THE AIRCRAFT INTO THE LAKE SHORELINE. THE FRONT PORTION OF THE FLOATS CONTACTED THE TERRAIN AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT OWNER'S MANUAL RECOMMENDS USING 20 DEGREES OF FLAPS THROUGHOUT THE TAKEOFF. ADDITIONALLY, UNDER HEAVY LOADS AND GLASSY WATER CONDITIONS, AN ABRUPT APPLICATION OF BACK CONTROL PRESSURE MAY BE NECESSARY TO BREAK FREE OF THE WATER SURFACE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLAPS AND FLIGHT CONTROLS, AND A DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS GLASSY WATER CONDITIONS.

Full Narrative

On September 2, 1994, at 1100 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 180B airplane, N5143E, owned and operated by the pilot-in-command, collided with terrain during an aborted takeoff at a remote lake approximately 145 miles north of Fort Yukon, Alaska. The private certificated pilot and one passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight last departed Fairbanks, Alaska on September 1, 1994 and the intended destination was the lake on which the accident occurred. According to the pilot, visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was established with personal acquaintances. During a telephone interview on the morning of September 6, 1994, the pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that the plane was loaded with five quarters of Caribou weighing 35 pounds each and the wing tanks contained 55 gallons of fuel. The pilot said that the wind was calm and the lake surface was as smooth as glass. The takeoff was commenced from the opposite end of the lake near the shoreline using 10 degrees of flap. As the airspeed approached 53 knots, he added another 10 to 15 degrees of flap but the plane "stuck to the water". Fearing that he would not be able to clear the approaching terrain, he aborted the takeoff. The plane continued forward with the tips of the floats contacting the shore and the plane nosing over onto its back. The "operating details/floatplane takeoff" section of the manufacturer's owner's manual states in part: "...Takeoff performance from water is much better with wing flaps 20 degrees throughout the takeoff run...Under heavy load and glassy water conditions, it may be advisable to apply abrupt back pressure for breaking away from the surface."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180B
Tail NumberN5143E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470K · Reciprocating · 230
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data