# NTSB ANC93LA110: Cessna 180J, N74CG, Delta Junction, AK, July 3, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1993, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Delta Junction, AK
- Coordinates: 63.699405, -144.889328 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6994&lon=-144.8893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2376/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA110

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF.  THE TREES WERE A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - water
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF ON A RIVER, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE GOT ON THE STEP QUICKLY BUT WOULD NOT FLY. THE PILOT BELIEVED THAT THE PLANE SHOULD HAVE FLOWN BECAUSE HE HAD DEPARTED FROM THE AREA SEVERAL TIMES PREVIOUSLY AND THE AIRPLANE WAS WELL BELOW THE MAXIMUM AUTHORIZED GROSS WEIGHT.  THE PILOT SAID THAT HE ALLOWED THE TAKEOFF RUN TO CONTINUE TOO LONG BEFORE ABORTING.

## Factual narrative

On July 3, 1993, at 1000 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 180J airplane, N74CG, operated by the pilot and registered to his wife, struck a submerged log and trees during an aborted takeoff on the Clear Water River.  The private certificated pilot in command and his two passengers were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The intended destination of the personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was Delta Junction.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

During a telephone interview, the pilot told the NTSB investigator in charge that during the takeoff run a change in both the direction and velocity of the wind was experienced and that in retrospect he should have aborted the takeoff sooner.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74CG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74CG), registered now, S/N 18052403, built 1974 (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: 18052403
- Airframe hours: 3648
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: O'Connor, Francis D.
- Registered owner: O'Connor, Boneta M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1992, 20 hours before
- Destination: CLR WATER RIVER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,893 total, 114 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19930703022189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930703022189A), Jul 3, 1993: Cessna 180J, Delta Junction, AK, Substantial damage. Hit log and trees on shore after aborting water takeoff. Blamed windshift for lack of lift.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.