# Accident 20180615020019A: Cessna 180K, Kotzebue, AK, June 15, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 15, 2018, 16:00 local time
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: J1OC
- Location: 67.0206° N, 158.7953° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.0206&lon=-158.7953&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2957K, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2957K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 180K (registry code 2072624, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 17,920 total, 1,282 in this make and model, 56 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC18LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA046) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180615020019A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

NORTHSTAR AERO (J1OC) DEPARTED FAIRBANKS ALASKA ON A PART 135 VFR CHARTER FLIGHT IN CESSNA 180 N2957K WITH TWO PASSENGERS ON BOARD AT AROUND 1030 ADT ON FRIDAY JUNE 15.  FLIGHT PLAN ROUTE WAS FAIRBANKS ? KOBUK SAND DUNES ? GATES OF THE ARCTIC NATIONAL PARK ? BETTLES (FUEL STOP) ? FAIRBANKS. PILOT LANDED ON SAND DUNES ? LANDING UNEVENTFUL, BUT AIRCRAFT BECAME STUCK WHILE TAXING FOR DEPARTURE. PILOT GOT AIRCRAFT EXTRACTED FROM SAND AND REPOSITIONED ON TOP OF A DUNE TO TAKEOFF DOWNHILL AND INTO THE WIND (APPROX., 10-20 KNTS.) AFTER TAKEOFF, AIRCRAFT UNABLE TO CLEAR TERRAIN ON CLIMB OUT AND IMPACTED SAND DUNE WHILE IN RIGHT TURN, SLOW SPEED AND FULL POWER. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS FOOT/ANKLE FROM BROKEN LANDING GEAR PENETRATING AIRCRAFT FLOOR, THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER ?BUMPS AND BRUISES? AND THE PILOT ?NO SIGNIFICANT INJURIES?.  OVERFLYING AIRCRAFT RECEIVED MAYDAY CALL FROM ACCIDENT SITE, AND RELAYED TO KOTZEBUE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION. AIRCRAFT FROM KOTZEBUE EVACUATED ALL TO KOTZEBUE FOR MEDICAL ASSESSMENT/TREATMENT. THE PILOT NOT ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL..

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC18LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA046), Jun 15, 2018: Cessna 180K (N2957K), Ambler, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area with unfavorable wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to maintain a climb.

## Other reports on N2957K (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19970430042399I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970430042399I), Apr 30, 1997: Cessna 180K (N2957K), Houma, LA, Minor damage. Narrative: evidence indicates a shorted fuel indicator (quantity) or hobbs meter.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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