# NTSB ANC20CA088: Cessna 180, N9128T, Kotzebue, AK, August 22, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 21, 2020, 19:00 local (Aug 22, 2020, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Kotzebue, AK - Coordinates: 68.330558, -158.2411 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.3306&lon=-158.2411&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 101901 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101901/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101901 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA088 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an airspeed conducive to flight during takeoff. ## 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 180B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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 180B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 180B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072606), [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 180B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the downhill takeoff from a remote unimproved airstrip, with a quartering headwind, the wind shifted as the airplane became airborne. The airplane settled "with about 100 yds left on the runway" and he continued "trying to milk the flaps" to become airborne while continuing downhill. The airplane never attained flying speed again and settled into a creek bed. After the impact with terrain, the pilot reported there were "several wind gusts of 15-20 mph coming downhill". The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the downhill takeoff from a remote unimproved airstrip, with a quartering headwind, the wind shifted as the airplane became airborne. The airplane settled "with about 100 yds left on the runway" and he continued "trying to milk the flaps" to become airborne while continuing downhill. The airplane never attained flying speed again and settled into a creek bed. After the impact with terrain, the pilot reported there were "several wind gusts of 15-20 mph coming downhill". The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9128T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9128T-2023-01-14), registration cancelled 2023-01-14, S/N 50628, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 180B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180b) (registry code 2072606) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50628 - Year built: 1959 - Engines: Continental O-470 SERIES 255 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: OTZ, Kotzebue, AK - Destination: Kotzebue, AK - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 12, 2020; seat: left; flight hours: 40,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 40,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: PAFM, 75 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 20200821014559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200821014559A), Aug 21, 2020: Cessna 180B, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot states: picking up one passenger and light gear on a tundra shelf. He measured the takeoff distance to be at least 1500 ft. before takeoff, wind was… ## Other investigations on N9128T (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 ANC66F0032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC66F0032), Jul 12, 1965: Cessna 180B (N9128T), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 8, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101901. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12676169&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Poine%20One%20088_redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 535 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11379033&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident pictures (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 379 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11357171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-Rel.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.