# NTSB ANC01LA107: Cessna 180H, N2716X, Big Lake, AK, August 10, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 2001, 20:00 local (Aug 10, 2001, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Big Lake, AK
- Coordinates: 61.416667, -150.566665
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4167&lon=-150.5667&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 15, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA, Anchorage Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53216
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53216/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA107

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for takeoff.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - sand bar
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff from near the mouth of a river in a float-equipped airplane.  During the takeoff roll, the right float collided with a sand bar, and the main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe.

## Factual narrative

On August 9, 2001, about 2000 Alaska daylight time,  a float-equipped Cessna 180H airplane, N2716X, received substantial damage when it collided with a sandbar during takeoff from the Alexander River, located about 20 miles southwest of Big Lake, Alaska.  The airline transport certificated pilot and the sole passenger were not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight departed Lake Hood, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1700.  The flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.

During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 13, the pilot related he initiated a takeoff from the Alexander River near its confluence with the Susitna River.  The pilot said the right float struck a sandbar he didn't see, and the right float collapsed.  The right wing subsequently hit the sandbar, and received substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2716X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2716X), registered now, S/N 18051516, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180H
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051516
- Airframe hours: 1350
- Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Laraux
- Registered owner: Intrepid Pilot's Association
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2001, 28 hours before
- Departed: LHD, Anchorage, AK
- Destination: Big Lake, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 19, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 23,400 total, 200 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 57 °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 20010809039729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010809039729A), Aug 9, 2001: Cessna 180H, Alexander, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Float plane CE-180, N2716X, piloted by charles laraux, with one passenger, was on the take off run at Alexander creek, Alaska. One of the floats struck a…

## Other investigations on N2716X (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 GAA18CA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA310), May 30, 2018: Cessna 180 (N2716X), Kake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while exiting the runway after landing.

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.