# NTSB ANC10CA059: Cessna 180J, N7751K, Kakhonak, AK, July 12, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 12, 2010, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Kakhonak, AK - Coordinates: 59.191387, -154.032226 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.1914&lon=-154.0322&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76599 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76599/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76599 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA059 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to take off in unfavorable wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was attempting to take off from an airstrip that was about 1,300 feet long. He noted that the wind was variable and gusting. During takeoff the airplane became airborne and subsequently began to settle back on the airstrip. As the airplane was approaching a bluff, the pilot realized that he did not have enough runway surface left to continue the takeoff. He pulled the power to idle and let the airplane settle onto the ground. The pilot then applied hard left rudder to avoid going over the bluff, at which point the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that the airframe and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the attempted takeoff. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 2010, at 1400 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 180J, N7751K, sustained substantial damage when it veered off a dirt airstrip and nosed over, about 18 miles south-southwest of Kakhonak, Alaska. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91. The certificated airline transport pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight plan had been filed. The personal flight originated at Homer, Alaska, about 0930. The pilot reported to the Safety Board investigator that the airstrip was about 1,300 feet long, and he was departing in the easterly direction, with variable winds at 8 knots gusting to 14 knots. During takeoff the airplane got airborne, then started to settle back to the airstrip. He said he was approaching a bluff, and did not have enough runway to continue the takeoff. He pulled the power to idle, let the airplane settle onto the ground and applied hard left rudder to avoid going over the bluff and into the water below. During this maneuver the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the attempted takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7751K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7751K), registered now, S/N 18052719, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J - Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052719 - Airframe hours: 3667 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kenneth D. & Christine M. Day - Registered owner: Kenneth D. & Christine M. Day - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 2010 - Departed: Kakhonak, AK - Destination: PAHO, Homer, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 29, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 12,300 total, 50 in this make and model, 10,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 8 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 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 20100712038289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100712038289A), Jul 12, 2010: Cessna 180J, Kakhonak, AK, Substantial damage. Left homer at 0930 and flew to moraine creek and landed on 1300 foot tundra strip. On departure from the strip the wind was quartering from the left. Wind… ## Other investigations on N7751K (1) 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 ANC92LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA072), May 8, 1992: Cessna C-180J (N7751K), Seldovia, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE IMPROPER IN-FLT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT TO LAND ON A SHORT GRAVEL AIRSTRIP IN TAILWIND WX CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO CORRECT A GND LOOP/SWERVE DURING LANDING ROLL. FACTORS RELATING TO… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 6, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76599. 278 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 237 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333020&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of conversation with the pilot. (item 2, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333053&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20conversation%20with%20the%20pilot.-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.