# NTSB ANC10CA009: Cessna 182C, N8944T, Kotzebue, AK, October 30, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 30, 2009, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Kotzebue, AK - Coordinates: 67.01667, -162.16139 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.0167&lon=-162.1614&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 75135 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75135/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75135 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis A Federal Aviation Administration inspector contacted the NTSB investigator-in-charge and reported that he had received information about an unreported accident at a remote off-airport site. He said the information indicated that an accident had occurred about 30 days prior, and that the airplane was still at the accident site. The inspector traveled to the site and confirmed that the airplane was there and that the left wing and left wing spar were damaged. The inspector also reported that the airplane had substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The inspector said that he returned to the local airport where the airplane was usually kept and spoke with a certificated aircraft mechanic familiar with the accident. The mechanic identified the pilot and told the inspector that the pilot attempted to take off from a frozen lake but hit a crack in the ice. The mechanic reported that the airplane nosed down, striking the propeller and left wing on the ice. He also reported that the pilot had one passenger. The inspector reported that he made contact with the pilot, but the pilot refused to cooperate with the investigation. The pilot has not responded to any NTSB requests for information. ## Factual narrative A FAA Flight Standards District Office inspector contacted the NTSB investigator-in-charge, and reported that he had received information about an unreported accident at a remote off-airport site. He said the information indicated that an accident had occurred about 30 days prior, and that the airplane was still at the accident site. The inspector traveled to the site, and confirmed that the airplane was there, and that the left wing and left wing spar were damaged. The inspector also reported that the airplane had substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The inspector said he returned to the local airport where the airplane was usually kept, and spoke with a certificated aircraft mechanic familiar with the accident. The mechanic identified the pilot, and told the inspector that the pilot attempted to takeoff from a frozen lake, but hit a crack in the ice. The mechanic reported that the airplane nosed down, striking the propeller and left wing on the ice. He also reported that the pilot had one passenger. The inspector reported that he made contact with the pilot, but the pilot refused to cooperate with the investigation. The pilot has not responded to any NTSB requests for information. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8944T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8944T-2019-11-04), registration cancelled 2019-11-04, S/N 52844, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182C - Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52844 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John K Baker - Registered owner: Baker Bruce Andrew - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Kotzebue, AK - Destination: PAOT, Kotzebue, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 10 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 1 statute miles ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 28, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75135. 168 KB in all. - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324712&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.