# NTSB ANC85FA100: Cessna 180H, N91390, Theordore River, AK, June 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1985, 22:30 local (Jun 20, 1985, 06:30 UTC)
- Place: Theordore River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85FA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA100

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - water loop/swerve - initiated
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED THE FLOAT PLANE ON THE THEORDORE RIVER WHICH HAD A MAXIMUM WIDTH OF ABOUT 90 FT & HAD FEW STRAIGHT RUNS OF MORE THAN 400 FT. THE RIVER HAD MANY SHARP TURNS, SOME IN EXCESS OF 150 DEGS, & ITS DEPTH WAS AS LOW AS 18 INCHES AT LOW TIDE. THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF AS THE TIDE WAS RECEDING & THE WATER WAS FLOWING AT 7 TO 9 KTS. HE STATED THAT HE MISJUDGED THE SPEED OF THE RIVER. WHILE STEP TURNING AROUND A BEND, THE RIGHT WING CONTACKED THE RIVER BANK & THE ACFT TURNED OVER. THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN IMPACT WITH THE RIVER BANK WAS IMMINENT, HE INITIATED A WATER LOOP TO PREVENT INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91390](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91390), registered now, S/N 18052060, 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: 18052060
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Douglas E. Beers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: LOWER FIRE LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 3,200 total, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19850619026579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850619026579A), Jun 19, 1985: Cessna 180H, Theodore River, AK, Substantial damage. Floatplane pilot tried three times to lift off a River, then hit bank and upset. River not suitable for floatplanes

## Other investigations on N91390 (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 ANC77DAG54](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAG54), Mar 26, 1977: Cessna 180 (N91390), Palmer, AK, substantial damage

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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