# NTSB ANC24LA040: Cessna 180H, N91224, Soldotna, AK, June 1, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 31, 2024, 17:05 local (Jun 1, 2024, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Soldotna, AK
- Coordinates: 60.5, -150.75166
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5000&lon=-150.7517&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 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): 194374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194374/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194374
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA040

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid an obstacle on the runway environment during takeoff roll. Contributing was flat light conditions.

## Findings

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

- [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)
- [Light condition: flat light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while on takeoff roll from a gravel airstrip, the airplane’s left main wheel struck a pile of gravel, resulting in a nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, horizontal stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot added that flat light conditions, coupled with the gray silt ladened gravel, contributed to him not seeing the obstacle on the airstrip.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91224](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91224), registered now, S/N 18052010, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052010
- Year built: 1969
- Airframe hours: 3420
- Engines: Contential XP470-50 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tailwheel Transitions LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 2023, 80 hours before
- Destination: ALH, Anchorage, AK
- Airport: N/A, Holiday Park Residential, runway North, 2,100 × 15 ft, gravel
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; flight instructor, private, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 3, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 14,500 total, 600 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 9 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.66 inHg
- Observed at: PASX, 8 nm away
- METAR: PASX 010056Z AUTO 08009G15KT 10SM CLR 15/00 A2966 RMK AO2 SLP048 T01500000

## 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 20240531006109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240531006109A), May 31, 2024: Cessna 180H, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot began his takeoff run at the private gravel airstrip. Pilot did not see a gravel pile on the airstrip, prior to the left wheel making contact with the…

## Other investigations on N91224 (2)

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 ANC22LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA075), Sep 4, 2022: Cessna 180H (N91224), McCarty, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to initiate a go around maneuver when the airplane past the intended touch down point.
- [NTSB ANC85LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA058), Mar 23, 1985: Cessna 180 (N91224), Kenai, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194374. 2.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17239623&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20V2_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 711 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17342753&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.