# NTSB ANC89LA016: Cessna 180, N420SB, Meshik Lake, AK, November 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1988, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Meshik Lake, AK
- Coordinates: 56.959526, -158.580444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9595&lon=-158.5804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5146/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM AN UNIMPROVED LANDING AREA WITH TWO HUNTER-FRIENDS. HE STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED THREE TIMES, REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT FOUR FEET, THEN HIT THE TEN-FOOT HIGH TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AREA AND NOSED OVER. HE THOUGHT THE UNSUCCESSFUL TAKEOFF MIGHT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE HEADWIND CHANGING TO A TAILWIND DURING TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N420SB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N420SB), registered now, S/N 18052313 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052313
- Airframe hours: 3353
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bobby L. Graham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1988, 94 hours before
- Departed: MESHIK LAKE, AK
- Destination: AKN, KING SALMON, AK
- Airport: Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,559 total, 1,115 in this make and model, 2,555 as pilot in command, 161 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °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 19881111050359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881111050359A), Nov 11, 1988: Cessna 180, Meshik Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Struck trees on attempted takeoff on an unimproved strip. Airborne 3 times before climbout and impact with trees.

## Other investigations on N420SB (4)

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 ANC99LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA042), Apr 4, 1999: Cessna 180 (N420SB), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper installation of the main landing gear attaching bolt by maintenance personnel, which resulted in total failure of the bolt and collapse of the landing gear.
- [NTSB ANC91LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA073), Jun 13, 1991: Cessna 180 (N420SB), Pilot Point, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT AND ROUGH TERRAIN.
- [NTSB ANC89LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA001), Oct 2, 1988: Cessna 180 (N420SB), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC85LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA180), Sep 7, 1985: Cessna 180-J (N420SB), Egegik, 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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