# NTSB ANC07CA084: Cessna 180, N1560C, Skwentna, AK, August 25, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 25, 2007, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.505001, -152.843338
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.5050&lon=-152.8433&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 November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC07CA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66713/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA084

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in the airplane descending uncontrolled into high vegetation.  Factors contributing to the accident were wind gusts and a crosswind.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

The private certificated pilot was taking off from an unimproved, off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The pilot reported that he was taking off in gusty crosswind conditions, and a gust "caught the left wing pushing me to the ground."  He also said the right landing gear wheel  caught in the brush, pulling the airplane to the ground.  The airplane impacted the ground, rolled onto its left side, and was destroyed by a postcrash fire.

## Factual narrative

The private certificated pilot was taking off from an unimproved, off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The pilot reported that he was taking off in gusty crosswind conditions, and a gust "caught the left wing pushing me to the ground."  He also said the right landing gear wheel  caught in the brush, pulling the airplane to the ground.  The airplane impacted the ground, rolled onto its left side, and was destroyed by a postcrash fire.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1560C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1560C-2012-08-08), registration cancelled 2012-08-08, S/N 30260, built 1953 (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: 30260
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ron Kowalski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2007
- Departed: Skwentna, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 625 in this make and model, 98 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 20070825020879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070825020879A), Aug 25, 2007: Cessna 180, Farewell, AK, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot stated that he overcorrected to a crosswind during takeoff in gusty conditions on a river bank. Just after liftoff the wind blew his aircraft back…

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.