# NTSB ANC11CA098: Cessna 180A, N7814A, McGrath, AK, September 14, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 13, 2011, 21:30 local (Sep 14, 2011, 05:30 UTC)
- Place: McGrath, AK
- Coordinates: 61.744445, -153.353607 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7444&lon=-153.3536&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 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): 81753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81753/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81753
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA098

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control when encountering a downdraft during the initial climb after takeoff, resulting in a collision with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/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 180A, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/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)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was taking off from a sandbar when the airplane encountered a downdraft. The left landing gear subsequently struck the riverbank and was sheared off. The left wing then contacted the ground and the airplane slid to a stop on its fuselage, receiving substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage and tail section.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported he was taking off from a sandbar when the airplane encountered a downdraft. The left landing gear subsequently struck the riverbank, and was sheared off. The left wing then contacted the ground, and the airplane slid to a stop on its fuselage, receiving substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage and tail section.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7814A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7814A-2017-09-19), registration cancelled 2017-09-19, S/N 32711, 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: 32711
- Airframe hours: 6513
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jurenka Terry
- Registered owner: Jurenka Terry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 2011
- Departed: McGrath, AK
- Destination: MRI, Anchorage, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 11, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,774 total, 1,489 in this make and model, 1,774 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °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 20110913022339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110913022339A), Sep 13, 2011: Cessna 180A, AK, Substantial damage. Airplane was lifting off, wind changed direction and speed. Airplane turned to the left from intended direction of flight and was pushed down , left main…

## Other investigations on N7814A (3)

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 MKC84LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA026), Nov 17, 1983: Cessna 180A (N7814A), Topeka, KS, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC78DHD10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78DHD10), Mar 19, 1978: Cessna 180 (N7814A), Williamstown, NJ, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC71FCJ56](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71FCJ56), Apr 2, 1971: Cessna 180A (N7814A), Ashland, NE, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 3, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81753. 146 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354871&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.

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