# NTSB ANC03LA121: Cessna 180, N9907V, Kenai, AK, September 14, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 2003, 20:00 local (Sep 14, 2003, 04:00 UTC) - Place: Kenai, AK - Coordinates: 60.633888, -152.398056 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6339&lon=-152.3981&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-ANC FSDO 03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 57968 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC03LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57968/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA121 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in an overrun and nose over during an aborted takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were soft, sandy terrain, and a tailwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - high vegetation - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was departing toward the west from a remote beach. The pilot said that the takeoff area was soft sand, about 300 yards long, and 50 yards wide. He reported that when he started the takeoff roll, the wind was from the west, about 10 knots. As the airplane approached the end of the takeoff area, the pilot indicated the airplane was not lifting off. He said he aborted the takeoff by pulling the engine power to idle, and applying the brakes. As the airplane slowed at the end of the takeoff area, it nosed over into an area of small alder trees. The airplane received damage to the propeller, engine, wings, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot said that when he got out of the overturned airplane, he noticed the wind was blowing from the east. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 2003, about 2000 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N9907V, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during an aborted takeoff from a remote beach area, about 35 miles west-southwest of Kenai, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 22, the pilot reported that he was departing toward the west from a beach area, located along the Drift River. The pilot said that the takeoff area was soft sand, about 300 yards long, and 50 yards wide. He said as he started the takeoff roll, the wind was from the west, about 10 knots. As the airplane approached the end of the takeoff area, the pilot indicated the airplane was not lifting off. He said he aborted the takeoff by pulling the engine power to idle, and applying the brakes. As the airplane slowed at the end of the takeoff area, it nosed over into an area of small alder trees. The airplane received damage to the propeller, engine, wings, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot said that when he got out of the overturned airplane, he noticed the wind was blowing from the east. ## Aircraft - Registration: N9907V (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 180051759 - Airframe hours: 4235 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Scott J. D'Agostino - Registered owner: Paul Iverson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 2003, 115 hours before - Departed: Kenai, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 15, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 330 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 20030913026579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030913026579A), Sep 13, 2003: Cessna 180H, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) In a telephone interview Mr. D'agostino stated that he and his passenger were scouting the drift river for suitable hunting locations. They noted tire… 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.