# NTSB ANC02LA118: Cessna 180, N4563B, Port Heiden, AK, September 8, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 8, 2002, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Port Heiden, AK - Coordinates: 56.95, -158.616668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9500&lon=-158.6167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55687 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC02LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55687/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA118 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during initial climb, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor associated with the accident was a variable wind. ## 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 - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that prior to starting his takeoff roll atop a 1,500 foot long volcanic cinder bed, he noted that the prevailing winds were out of the north, at 15 knots. During a northerly takeoff, just after liftoff, the northerly winds dissipated, and the airplane would not continue to climb. The airplane subsequently collided with a stand of trees at the departure end of the site, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On September 8, 2002, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N4563B, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during takeoff from a remote off airport site, located about 20 miles east of Port Heiden, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country business flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by LaRose Guiding Service, Anchorage, Alaska. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight was en route to Pilot Point, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on September 11, the pilot reported that prior to starting his takeoff roll atop a 1,500 foot long volcanic cinder bed, he noted that the prevailing winds were out of the north, at 15 knots. The pilot reported that during a northerly takeoff, just after liftoff, the northerly winds dissipated, and the airplane would not continue to climb. The airplane subsequently collided with a stand of trees at the departure end of the site, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The pilot did not submit an NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4563B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4563B), registered now, S/N 31462 (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: 31462 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary Larose - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PTH, Port Heiden, AK - Destination: PNP, Pilot Point, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast ## 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 20020908025959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020908025959A), Sep 8, 2002: Cessna 180, Portheiden, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 8, 2002, at approximately 1400 hrs. Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N4563B sustained substantial damage during… ## Other investigations on N4563B (4) 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 ANC05CA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA062), Apr 25, 2005: Cessna 180 (N4563B), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and the airplane nosing over. A factor associated with the accident was a crosswind, and… - [NTSB ANC99LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA154), Sep 26, 1999: Cessna 180 (N4563B), Pilot Point, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's misjudgment of the touchdown point. A factor in the accident was the uneven terrain. - [NTSB ANC93LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA182), Sep 21, 1993: Cessna 180 (N4563B), Pumice Creek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE WIND INFORMATION, AND THE UNFAVORABLE WIND. - [NTSB ANC79DAG93](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DAG93), Aug 26, 1979: Cessna 180 (N4563B), Tyonek, AK, substantial damage 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.