# NTSB ANC25LA088: Cessna 180G, N4721U, Delta Junction, AK, August 19, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 19, 2025, 05:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Delta Junction, AK - Coordinates: 63.8051, -146.4754 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.8051&lon=-146.4754&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 9, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200820 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200820/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200820 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA088 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain a rate of climb sufficient to clear obstacles during takeoff, resulting in a collision with tree-covered 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 180G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072616), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2072616), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072616), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2072616), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/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 180G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072616), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff from a remote, wet, gravel-covered, rough and uneven airstrip that was surrounded by trees, the airplane began to unexpectedly descend just after becoming airborne. He attempted to recover by applying aft elevator input; however, the airplane settled into an area of tree and vegetation-covered terrain at the departure end of the airstrip. As a result, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer, wings, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4721U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4721U), registered now, S/N 18051421, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180G - Registry model: [Cessna 180G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180g) (registry code 2072616) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051421 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 2928.2 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 2025, 50 hours before - Destination: 78AA, North Pole, AK - Airport: NONE, East Hayes Creek - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial, military, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 10, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,068 total, 45 in this make and model, 1,857 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: ABI, 23 nm away - METAR: PABI 191253Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM OVC070 11/11 A2988 RMK AO2 RAB16E42 SLP121 P0001 T01110106 TSNO $ ## 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 20250819011149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250819011149A), Aug 19, 2025: Cessna 180G, Delta Junction, AK, Substantial damage. Per pilot statement, on the morning of the accident flight, pilot noted winds out of the south at an estimated 5KTS and temperature 38-40 deg f. pilot reported… ## Other investigations on N4721U (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 ANC99LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA033), Mar 14, 1999: Cessna 180G (N4721U), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: Water contamination of the fuel supply, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection to ensure all water was removed from the fuel supply. Factors in the accident were a wrinkle in the wing fuel… - [NTSB ANC81DAA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAA06), Aug 2, 1980: Cessna 180 (N4721U), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200820. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19411814&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA088%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 394 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19412340&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA088%20Photos-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.