# NTSB ANC21LA097: Cessna 180E, N716, Kotzebue, AK, September 26, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 25, 2021, 16:30 local (Sep 26, 2021, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Coordinates: 67.489064, -162.17135 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.4891&lon=-162.1713&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: 3 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 Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103977/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103977
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA097

## Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of control during takeoff due to a gusty, variable wind and the rough terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072612), [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 · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072612), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2072612), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072612), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was attempting to takeoff from a gravel bar along a river. The airplane got airborne and cleared a rock bluff; however, it settled back to the ground on the other side. The terrain was rough, and he was unable to get the airplane airborne again. The left landing gear collapsed, and the fuselage was damaged. The pilot stated there were no issues with the airplane before the accident, and the engine seemed to be making full power. The wind was gusty and variable.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N716](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N716-2023-06-17), registration cancelled 2023-06-17, S/N 18051088, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180E
- Registry model: [Cessna 180E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180e) (registry code 2072612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051088
- Year built: 1961
- Airframe hours: 5000
- Engines: Continental Motors O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: N/A, Otz, AK
- Airport: PAOT, Ralph Wien Memorial
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 17,000 total, 11,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1.25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.83 inHg
- Observed at: PAWN, 19 nm away
- METAR: SPECI PAWN 260028Z AUTO 03006KT 1 1/4SM -SN BR OVC012 M02/M03 A2983

## 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 20210925021679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210925021679A), Sep 25, 2021: Cessna 180E, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. PIC was making multiple trips to Gravel Bar strip during the day from Kotzebue, this was the third takeoff/trip, planning to return to Kotzebue. A few inches…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 18, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103977. 631 KB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12805237&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Report%20--%20ANC21LA097_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12804916&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20Gerry%20Moriarty%20--%2025Sep2021-Rel.pdf
- Airplane photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 235 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12809441&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20--%20ANC21LA097-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.

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