# NTSB ANC89LA085: Cessna 180-J, N52010, Glennallen, AK, June 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1989, 16:50 local (Jun 5, 1989, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Glennallen, AK
- Coordinates: 62.099487, -145.529495 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0995&lon=-145.5295&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 March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5194
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5194/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA085

## Probable cause

PILOT USED POOR JUDGEMENT AND PLANNING FOR HIS TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THIS PRIVATE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM THE WATER TOWARD RISING TERRAIN, WITH STRONG GUSTY WINDS. HE HAD ABOUT ONE MILE TAKEOFF DISTANCE AVAILABLE, YET WAS ONLY ABOUT 60 FEET ABOVE THE WATER APPROACHING THE SHORELINE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT THAT EXCEEDED THE AIRPLANES CLIMB CAPABILITY, AND CRASHED ABOUT 1/4 MILE PAST THE SHORELINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52010](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52010), registered now, S/N 18052439 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180-J
- 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: 18052439
- Airframe hours: 1628
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mahoney, Patrick
- Registered owner: Cook Inlet Contracting Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1989, 69 hours before
- Destination: EAGLE RIVER, AK
- Airport: Lake Louise, runway 18, 5,000 × 400 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,350 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890604014199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890604014199A), Jun 4, 1989: Cessna 180J, Lake Louise, AK, Substantial damage. Unable to climb after takeoff due to downdraft. Struck trees hit ground and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N52010 (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 ANC76DAG98](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG98), Mar 23, 1976: Cessna 180 (N52010), Cantwell, 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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