# NTSB ANC11CA102: Cessna 180, N9019C, Ambler, AK, September 13, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 13, 2011, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Ambler, AK - Coordinates: 67.535835, -155.005279 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.5358&lon=-155.0053&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 81799 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81799/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81799 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA102 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/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 180, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot elected to take off from an off-airport site in variable wind conditions. During the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a tailwind, resulting in an extended takeoff roll. The airplane encountered a creek and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and vertical stabilizer. ## Factual narrative The pilot elected to takeoff from an off airport site in variable wind conditions. During the takeoff roll the airplane encountered a tailwind, resulting in an extended takeoff roll, and inability to out climb the terrain. The airplane encountered a creek and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and vertical stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9019C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9019C), registered now, S/N 31067, built 1954 (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: 31067 - Airframe hours: 4850 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hanks Don N - Registered owner: Hanks Don N - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 2011 - Departed: Ambler, AK - Destination: PABT, Bettles Field, AK - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 9, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 2,650 total, 410 in this make and model, 2,607 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.60 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 20110913026939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110913026939A), Sep 13, 2011: Cessna 180, Ambler, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was departing a gravel bar downwind and rolled into the noatak river flipping the aircraft onto it's back damaging the vertical stabilizer. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 16, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81799. 625 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 625 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360126&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.