# NTSB ANC94LA131: Cessna 180B, N5143E, Fort Yukon, AK, September 2, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 2, 1994, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Yukon, AK - Coordinates: 66.559837, -145.250854 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.5598&lon=-145.2509&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2562 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2562/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA131 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLAPS AND FLIGHT CONTROLS, AND A DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS GLASSY WATER CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor) - lowering of flaps - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE DEPARTING A REMOTE LAKE IN A FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE AS THE RETURN PORTION OF A CROSS-COUNTRY PERSONAL FLIGHT AT THE CONCLUSION OF A HUNTING TRIP. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE PILOT REPORTED USING 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS THAT HE LOWERED TO 20 DEGREES WHEN THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT BREAK FREE FROM THE WATER SURFACE. THE WATER CONDITIONS WERE SMOOTH AND GLASSY. WHEN THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY, THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE'S FORWARD MOMENTUM CARRIED THE AIRCRAFT INTO THE LAKE SHORELINE. THE FRONT PORTION OF THE FLOATS CONTACTED THE TERRAIN AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT OWNER'S MANUAL RECOMMENDS USING 20 DEGREES OF FLAPS THROUGHOUT THE TAKEOFF. ADDITIONALLY, UNDER HEAVY LOADS AND GLASSY WATER CONDITIONS, AN ABRUPT APPLICATION OF BACK CONTROL PRESSURE MAY BE NECESSARY TO BREAK FREE OF THE WATER SURFACE. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 1994, at 1100 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 180B airplane, N5143E, owned and operated by the pilot-in-command, collided with terrain during an aborted takeoff at a remote lake approximately 145 miles north of Fort Yukon, Alaska. The private certificated pilot and one passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight last departed Fairbanks, Alaska on September 1, 1994 and the intended destination was the lake on which the accident occurred. According to the pilot, visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was established with personal acquaintances. During a telephone interview on the morning of September 6, 1994, the pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that the plane was loaded with five quarters of Caribou weighing 35 pounds each and the wing tanks contained 55 gallons of fuel. The pilot said that the wind was calm and the lake surface was as smooth as glass. The takeoff was commenced from the opposite end of the lake near the shoreline using 10 degrees of flap. As the airspeed approached 53 knots, he added another 10 to 15 degrees of flap but the plane "stuck to the water". Fearing that he would not be able to clear the approaching terrain, he aborted the takeoff. The plane continued forward with the tips of the floats contacting the shore and the plane nosing over onto its back. The "operating details/floatplane takeoff" section of the manufacturer's owner's manual states in part: "...Takeoff performance from water is much better with wing flaps 20 degrees throughout the takeoff run...Under heavy load and glassy water conditions, it may be advisable to apply abrupt back pressure for breaking away from the surface." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5143E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5143E-2007-08-25), registration cancelled 2007-08-25, S/N 50443, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180B - Registry model: [Cessna 180B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180b) (registry code 2072606) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50443 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chambers, Gene - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1994, 130 hours before - Destination: FAIRBANKS, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 453 total, 335 in this make and model, 301 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 19940902025359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940902025359A), Sep 2, 1994: Cessna 180B, Fort Yukon, AK, Substantial damage. Tried depart on glassy water. Unable. Aborted. Hit shore. Nosed over. Failed to use glassy water procedures. 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.