# NTSB ANC03LA122: Cessna 180, N2162Z, Cape Yakataga, AK, September 18, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 17, 2003, 19:30 local (Sep 18, 2003, 03:30 UTC) - Place: Cape Yakataga, AK - Coordinates: 60.099998, -142.824996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1000&lon=-142.8250&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-L-JNU FSDO 05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 57988 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC03LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57988/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA122 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for departure, which resulted in a collision with a log during the takeoff roll. Factors contribuiting to the accident were the presence of hidden obstructions, and sunglare. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - sand bar - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airline transport certificated pilot was departing from a remote beach area. The pilot indicated that he planned to depart toward the west, but was looking directly into the sun, so he altered his takeoff direction slightly to the left of his planned path. During the takeoff run, just as the airplane began to lift off, the right main landing gear struck a partially buried log. The pilot aborted the takeoff and stopped the airplane. He discovered that the right gear strut was displaced aft about 45 degrees, and outboard about 20 degrees. The right main landing gear fuselage attach point was extensively buckled and torn. ## Factual narrative On September 17, 2003, about 1930 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N2162Z, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a log during the takeoff roll from a remote beach, about 10 miles west-southwest of Cape Yakataga, 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 airline transport certificated pilot, and the three passengers, 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 23, the pilot reported that he had been fishing in the area for a few days, and had previously flown between the accident location and another camp. The pilot indicated that he planned to depart toward the west, but was looking directly into the sun, so he altered his takeoff direction slightly to the left of his planned path. During the takeoff run, just as the airplane began to lift off, the right main landing gear struck a partially buried log. The pilot aborted the takeoff and stopped the airplane. He discovered that the right gear strut was displaced aft about 45 degrees, and outboard about 20 degrees. The airplane was recovered from the beach and was examined in Wasilla, Alaska, on September 23, by the NTSB IIC. The right main landing gear fuselage attach point was extensively buckled and torn. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2162Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2162Z), registered now, S/N 18051262 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180f) (registry code 2072614) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051262 - Airframe hours: 4213 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Benjamin K. Baker - Registered owner: Christopher J. Pettine - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 2002, 57 hours before - Departed: CAPE YAKATAGA, AK ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 15 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg ## 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 20030917026449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030917026449A), Sep 17, 2003: Cessna 180F, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) During take-off, from a beach near the mouth of the tsiu river, Mr. Baker shifted take-off direction approx 10 degrees due to the glare from the sun. The… ## Other investigations on N2162Z (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 ANC09CA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA057), Jun 15, 2009: Cessna 180F (N2162Z), King Salmon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage to the airplane. - [NTSB ANC02LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA072), Jun 8, 2002: Cessna 180 (N2162Z), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll which resulted in the left wing striking the ground. A factor contributing to the accident was the… - [NTSB ANC78DAG65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78DAG65), May 11, 1978: Cessna 180 (N2162Z), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC77DAG44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAG44), Mar 20, 1977: Cessna 180 (N2162Z), Kenai, 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.