# NTSB ANC90LA044: Cessna 180J, N52104, Lake Nikabuno, AK, March 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1990, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake Nikabuno, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5345
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5345/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA044

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - snowbank
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FROM A FROZEN LAKE COVERED WITH WET, SOFT SNOW. HE SAID THAT THE TAKEOFF ROLL TOOK LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED, AND THAT SHORTLY AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEEL SKI STRUCK A SNOW BERM, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE STRUCTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52104](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52104), registered now, S/N 18052503, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J
- 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: 18052503
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Williard H. Cummings

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 8,220 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 7,900 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 125° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °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 19900327006279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900327006279A), Mar 27, 1990: Cessna 180J, Lake Illiamna, AK, Substantial damage. A ski struck a snow berm on takeoff from remote frozen lake aborted and left gear collapsed on landing.

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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