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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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September 10, 1995 · Cessna 180A · N94259

Glennallen, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Glennallen, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 180A
Tail Number
N94259
Operator
Alaska Air Ventures
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC95LA164

The pilot of a float equipped Cessna 180A, N94259, was departing a remote lake after deplaning 2 hunters. Windy conditions from a nearby glacier produced choppy waves of about 3 to 4 feet high. The wind was estimated to be about 30 knots. During the takeoff run, the airplane floats received several hard impacts from the waves that were washing over the top of the floats. The pilot aborted the takeoff and taxied on the lake, looking for calmer conditions. The left float began to fill with water and the airplane rolled over. The airplane did not sink at that time. The pilot exited the airplane and climbed onto the inverted airplane floats. Later, the pilot of a Bell 206B, N84TA, attempted to rescue the Cessna pilot. While hovering near the downed plane, the helicopter went into a dynamic rollover and crashed, and the Cessna pilot received serious injuries. The Cessna 180 sank after the rescue. (See: ID ANC95TA166 for information concerning the helicopter accident.)

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for takeoff. The water condition with large waves/swells was a related factor.

Full Narrative

On September 10, 1995, about 1000 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 180A, N94259, sank after an aborted takeoff from Tazlina Lake, about 20 miles southwest of Glennallen, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Alaska Air Ventures, Glennallen, was destroyed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured when the airplane inverted. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated from Snowshoe Lake, about 38 miles west of Glennallen, about 0830. The operator reported that he landed on Tazlina Lake to drop off 2 hunters. The lake is fed from glacier melt water from the Tazlina glacier. Windy conditions from the glacier produced choppy waves of about 3 to 4 feet high. After dropping the hunters, the pilot taxied out on to the lake for departure. During the takeoff run, the airplane floats received several hard impacts from the waves that were washing over the top of the floats. The pilot aborted the takeoff and water taxied on the lake, looking for calmer conditions. The left float began to fill with water and the airplane rolled over. The airplane did not sink at that time. The pilot exited the airplane and climbed onto the inverted airplane floats. About 1400, the floating airplane was spotted by a passing float equipped airplane that landed to lend assistance. The pilot had developed syptoms of hypothermia. The pilot was unable to retrieve a rope from the other airplane but did manage to grab a sleeping bag. The second airplane departed to radio for more assistance. About 1545, the pilot received serious injuries during a rescue attempt and subsequent crash of a helicopter that came to the pilot's aid. The airplane sank after the rescue. The second accident is ANC-95-T-A166. The pilot did not return a pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) to the investigator-in-charge.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180A
Tail NumberN94259
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAlaska Air Ventures
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-K · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 30 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data