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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 7, 1999 · Cessna 180 · N5316D

Dillingham, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 7, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Dillingham, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N5316D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC99LA134

The float equipped airplane was departing to the northeast on a 1,400 feet long seadrome. The pilot told the NTSB IIC that the winds were about four knots, and the water was lightly rippled. He said the fuel tanks were full, and that he could have managed his fuel load better. The estimated takeoff weight was 2,813 pounds. The maximum allowable takeoff weight was 2,820 pounds. The pilot said the airplane got 'on step' normally but did not lift off the water prior to striking the bank at the end of the lake. The Cessna 180A operator's handbook states the required water run for the takeoff conditions is 1,356 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Factors associated with the accident were a short runway, and the pilot's failure to use available performance data.

Full Narrative

On September 6, 1999, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N5316D, sustained substantial damage when it did not become airborne during takeoff and collided with level terrain at the end of the Shannon's Pond seaplane base, Dillingham, Alaska. The accident occurred at 59 degrees 03.54 minutes north latitude, 158 degrees 34.63 minutes west longitude. The commercial pilot and the one passenger on board were not injured. The visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 by the airplane's owner. The flight was departing for the Tikchik Lakes, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) on September 8, and in his NTSB Pilot/Operator report, the pilot stated he water taxied to the southwest end of the 1,400 feet long by 100 feet wide, northeast-southwest water lane and began the takeoff run. He said the winds were north about four knots, and the water surface was lightly rippled. The flaps were set to 20 degrees. The pilot indicated that the airplane came up "on step" normally, but did not lift off the water before colliding with the northeast end of the lake. The airplane came to rest several hundred feet beyond the lake edge, and sustained substantial damage to several fuselage stringers aft of the rear float attachments. The pilot stated that the airplane contained full standard fuel tanks, about 100 pounds of equipment, and that he and the passenger weigh 450 pounds combined. He stated in his Pilot/Operator report that he could have managed his fuel better. The allowable maximum takeoff weight for the airplane is 2,820 pounds. The NTSB IIC estimated the actual takeoff weight to be 2,813 pounds. The Cessna 180A pilot operating handbook states the takeoff water run on floats, at 2,820 pounds is 1,356 feet with zero knots of headwind.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 AKDT
Nearest AirportShannons Pond (0nm)
Runway3
Runway Length1400 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN5316D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470K · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 4 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data