# Accident 20241004014389A: Cessna 180G, Big Lake, AK, October 4, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 4, 2024, 17:30 local time
- Place: Big Lake, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.5989° N, 150.0895° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5989&lon=-150.0895&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4631U, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4631U) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 180G (registry code 2072616, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180g) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180G
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC25FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25FA001) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241004014389A

## Narrative

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

THE EARLY EVENING HOURS THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT HAD STRONG, GUSTY AND VARIABLE WINDS IN THE AREA. THE LAKE THE AIRCRAFT WAS PREPARING TO DEPART FROM WAS SHELTERED BY THE SURROUNDING TREES. THE WATER WAS CALM, BUT THE PIC COULD SEE IT WAS WINDY ABOVE THE TREELINE. THE PIC AND THE PASSENGER TAXIED AROUND FOR SEVERAL MINUTES TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT DIRECTION THE PREVAILING WINDS WERE COMING FROM. THE PIC DECIDED TO TAKE OFF TO THE NORTH. AS THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO GET TO TREE TOP LEVEL, THEY FELT STRONG WINDS PUSHING THEM FROM THE SOUTH. A STRONG GUST OF WIND PUSHED THE AIRCRAFT INTO A STAND OF TALL TREES. THE RIGHT WING IMPACTED THE TREES, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO CRASH INTO THE LAKE INVERTED AND PARTIALLY SUBMERGED.

## 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 ANC25FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25FA001), Oct 5, 2024: Cessna 180 (N4631U), Big Lake, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing

## Other reports on N4631U (2)

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

- [Accident 20080728843119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080728843119A), Jul 28, 2008: Cessna 180G (N4631U), Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman told investigators that he was performing touch and goes at Merrill Field in preparation to leave the state with the aircraft. On landing the…
- [Accident 19760923030599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760923030599A), Sep 23, 1976: Cessna 180G (N4631U), Kulik Lake, AK, Substantial damage

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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