# NTSB ANC11CA083: Cessna 180A, N26CZ, Igiugig, AK, August 20, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 19, 2011, 18:30 local (Aug 20, 2011, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Igiugig, AK - Coordinates: 59.343334, -155.868606 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3433&lon=-155.8686&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 81556 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81556/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81556 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA083 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to take off in a variable wind, resulting in a shallow climb and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: weather planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 156 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was taking off in variable wind conditions from a pond in his float-equipped airplane. He stated that, shortly after takeoff, the wind shifted and the airplane began a descent that he was unable to stop. The airplane passed the shoreline and descended onto the ground, where it nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident and that he should have waited for a more favorable wind. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff in variable wind conditions from a float pond in his float-equipped airplane, the wind shifted, and the airplane began a descent that he was unable to stop. The airplane had passed the shoreline, and descended onto the ground, where it nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. He said there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident, and that he should have waited for a more favorable wind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26CZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26CZ-2013-06-17), registration cancelled 2013-06-17, S/N 32859, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180A - Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32859 - Airframe hours: 10803 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Waitman Bradley J, doing business as Igiugig Lodge, LLC - Registered owner: Waitman Bradley J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2011 - Departed: Igiugig, AK - Destination: Igiugig, AK - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 8, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 5,474 total, 1,067 in this make and model, 5,382 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Temperature: 50 °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 20110819019149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110819019149A), Aug 19, 2011: Cessna 180A, Talarik Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was taking off to the east on water, and the wind switched to a tail wind at rotation causing the aircraft to settle onto tundra and nose over. Pilot… ## Other investigations on N26CZ (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 ANC91LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA127), Aug 19, 1991: Cessna 180A (N26CZ), King Salmon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH WATER. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81556. 797 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 797 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.