# NTSB ANC01LA041: Cessna 180, N9383C, Ophir, AK, March 7, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 7, 2001, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Ophir, AK - Coordinates: 55.919601, -159.489089 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9196&lon=-159.4891&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-ANC FSDO 03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 51881 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51881/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA041 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, and his inadequate preflight planning/preparation resulting in a collision with trees during the initial climb. Factors in the accident were soft, snow-covered terrain, and trees in the area of departure. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - snow covered ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot landed on snow-covered terrain in a wheel/ski-equipped airplane. By the time he departed, the surface of the snow had become crusty. The pilot said he began a takeoff run toward the south, but the airplane did not become airborne until it was within about 50 yards from several trees. During the initial climb, the left horizontal stabilizer collided with a spruce tree about 25 feet above the ground. The airplane began a descending left turn toward the ground, and collided with several trees while the pilot was making an emergency landing. The airplane received damage to the left main landing gear, the wings, and the left stabilizer. ## Factual narrative On March 7, 2001, about 1500 Alaska standard time, a wheel/ski equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N9383C, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a snow-covered area at Ophir, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to McGrath, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The commercial certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on March 8, 2001, the pilot reported he landed near Ophir earlier in the day. When he was planning to depart, the surface of the snow had become crusty. The pilot said he began a takeoff run toward the south, but the airplane did not become airborne until it was within about 50 yards from several trees. During the initial climb, the left horizontal stabilizer collided with a spruce tree about 25 feet above the ground. The airplane began a descending left turn toward the ground, and collided with several trees while the pilot was making an emergency landing. The airplane received damage to the left main landing gear, the wings, and the left stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9383C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9383C), registered now, S/N 31781, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31781 - Airframe hours: 8000 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Allen R. Lewis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2000, 7 hours before - Departed: OPHIR, AK - Destination: PAMC, McGRATH, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 23, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 5,400 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 90° at 6 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Temperature: 19 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010307039609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010307039609A), Mar 7, 2001: Cessna 180, Ophir, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 07, 2001 a wheel ski equipped Cessna 180 N9383C received substantial damage during take off from the river at Ophir, Alaska. The pilot attempted… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.