# NTSB ANC85LA178: Cessna 180, N2490C, Tutna Lake, AK, September 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1985, 18:00 local (Sep 15, 1985, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Tutna Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4566/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA178

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A LAKE THAT WAS APRX 1/2 MI LONG & ORIENTED ON AN EAST/WEST HEADING. DURING A X-WIND TAKEOFF, THE PLT HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE ACFT TO LIFT OFF, BUT ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF. THE ACFT FINALLY LIFTED OFF, BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE SUFFICIENTLY IN GROUND EFFECT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT MUSHED INTO A TUNDRA HILL WHILE STILL FLYING IN GROUND EFFECT. THE PLT STATED HE THAT WAS FATIGUED & WAS OVERCONFIDENT IN BOTH HIMSELF & HIS ACFT. HE STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE WAITED UNTIL THE WIND WAS ALONG THE AXIS OF THE LAKE AND/OR HE SHOULD HAVE REPOSITIONED HIS ACFT ON A BIGGER LAKE BEFORE HAULING THE CARGO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2490C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2490C-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 30790 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30790
- Airframe hours: 3874
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John O. Elgee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: MULCHATNA RIVER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,500 total, 804 in this make and model, 6,120 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °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 19850914044939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850914044939A), Sep 14, 1985: Cessna 180, Tutna Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Lifted off early from a small crosswind lake. Unable to climb out of ground effect. Mushed into trees on the shore.

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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