# NTSB ANC13LA081: Cessna 180J, N7807K, Palmer, AK, August 21, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2013, 13:56 local (21:56 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.61639, -149.22084 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6164&lon=-149.2208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87838 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87838/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87838 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13LA081 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off with a slight tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During takeoff from a lake in a westerly direction, the airplane climbed to about 100 feet above ground level (agl) when the pilot retracted the flaps. Subsequently, the airplane rolled to the right and descended into trees and terrain. The pilot stated that he thought that he stalled the airplane on takeoff but that he did not recall hearing a stall warning horn. He added that he may have retracted the flap handle from the third notch to the first notch setting. Examination of the airplane revealed that flap handle was in the second notch, or 20-degree setting. The stall warning horn was removed and functioned normally; however, the investigation was unable to determine if the stall warning system was intact and calibrated due to impact damage to the wing and airframe. A review of weather data from a reporting facility about 4 miles east of the accident site revealed that about 3 minutes before the accident the wind was from 080 degrees at 8 knots, indicating that a slight tailwind would have existed at takeoff. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 2013, about 1356 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 180, N7807K, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees after takeoff from Walby Lake Seaplane Base (AA85), Palmer, Alaska. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight which was originating at the time of the accident. The intended destination was Finger Lake Seaplane Base (99Z), near Palmer. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that during takeoff to the west, the airplane felt sluggish after it became airborne. The pilot stated that as the airplane climbed to about 100 feet above ground level, he decreased the flap setting by one notch, and the airplane started to descend rapidly. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees about 600 feet west of the lake. The pilot added that he felt he may have retracted the flaps from the third notch to the first notch, and stalled the airplane. He did not recall hearing the stall warning horn. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that both the left and right wings and fuselage were structurally damaged. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination. Examination of the airplane by an NTSB investigator revealed that flap handle was in the second notch, or 20-degree setting. The stall warning horn was disassembled and produced a sound when suction air pressure was applied to the bell. The reed was intact, however, it was unable to be determined if the stall warning system was intact and calibrated due to the amount of impact damage to the wing and airframe. Review of recorded weather data from the Palmer (PAAQ) weather recording station located about 4 miles east of the accident site revealed that at 1353; wind was from 080 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7807K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7807K), registered now, S/N 18052741 (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: 18052741 - Airframe hours: 4565 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kenneth W Castner III - Registered owner: Milligan E Dean - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2013, 2 hours before - Departed: AA85, Palmer, AK - Destination: AA85, Palmer, AK - Airport: AA85, Walby Lake Seaplane Base, runway 24, 2,500 × 200 ft, water - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 4 nm away ## 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 20130821017939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130821017939A), Aug 21, 2013: Cessna 180J, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. During a part 91 operation, N7807K departed Walby Lake to the west with an estimated 8 knot tailwaind. Immediately after departure, flaps were retracted from… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 13, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87838. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404446&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404447&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404448&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - NTSB Airframe Examination Details (item 4, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404449&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Airframe%20Examination%20Details-Master.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.