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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 15, 1985 · Cessna 180 · N2490C

Tutna Lake, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 15, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Tutna Lake, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N2490C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC85LA178

THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A LAKE THAT WAS APRX 1/2 MI LONG & ORIENTED ON AN EAST/WEST HEADING. DURING A X-WIND TAKEOFF, THE PLT HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE ACFT TO LIFT OFF, BUT ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF. THE ACFT FINALLY LIFTED OFF, BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE SUFFICIENTLY IN GROUND EFFECT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT MUSHED INTO A TUNDRA HILL WHILE STILL FLYING IN GROUND EFFECT. THE PLT STATED HE THAT WAS FATIGUED & WAS OVERCONFIDENT IN BOTH HIMSELF & HIS ACFT. HE STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE WAITED UNTIL THE WIND WAS ALONG THE AXIS OF THE LAKE AND/OR HE SHOULD HAVE REPOSITIONED HIS ACFT ON A BIGGER LAKE BEFORE HAULING THE CARGO.

Full Narrative

THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A LAKE THAT WAS APRX 1/2 MI LONG & ORIENTED ON AN EAST/WEST HEADING. DURING A X-WIND TAKEOFF, THE PLT HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE ACFT TO LIFT OFF, BUT ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF. THE ACFT FINALLY LIFTED OFF, BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE SUFFICIENTLY IN GROUND EFFECT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT MUSHED INTO A TUNDRA HILL WHILE STILL FLYING IN GROUND EFFECT. THE PLT STATED HE THAT WAS FATIGUED & WAS OVERCONFIDENT IN BOTH HIMSELF & HIS ACFT. HE STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE WAITED UNTIL THE WIND WAS ALONG THE AXIS OF THE LAKE AND/OR HE SHOULD HAVE REPOSITIONED HIS ACFT ON A BIGGER LAKE BEFORE HAULING THE CARGO.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN2490C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-L · Reciprocating · 230
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data