# NTSB ANC95LA080: Cessna 180, N5177E, Minto, AK, June 23, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1995, 18:30 local (Jun 23, 1995, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Minto, AK
- Coordinates: 60.20914, -162.029022 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2091&lon=-162.0290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA080

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF IN A TIMELY MANNER.  A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE ALL OF THE AVAILABLE AREA (WATERWAY) FOR THE TAKEOFF.

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF WITH HIS FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE FROM A SLOUGH. HE SAID HE DID NOT USE THE FULL LENGTH OF THE AREA AVAILABLE FOR TAKEOFF. ALSO, HE SAID THAT UPON REACHING THE END OF THE SLOUGH, THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO CLEAR THE TREES WHICH LINED THE BANK. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TREES AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Factual narrative

On June 22, 1995, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N5177E, received substantial damage when it collided with trees during an attempted takeoff from a slough located approximately 5 miles southeast of Minto, Alaska. The owner/private pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured.  The personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The intended destination was the seaplane base at Fairbanks, Alaska.

The pilot reported he did not use the full length of the slough (a portion of the Tolavana River)that was available for takeoff. During the takeoff run, he said the airplane reached the end of the slough prior to gaining sufficient altitude to clear the trees on the shore. The airplane collided with the trees and sustained substantial damage.

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical difficulties with the airplane.

## 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
  - object - tree(s)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5177E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5177E), registered now, S/N 50477, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- 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: 50477
- Airframe hours: 2539
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Moloney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1995, 75 hours before
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS
- Destination: FAI, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## Other investigations on N5177E (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN10LA457](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA457), Aug 2, 2010: Cessna 180B (N5177E), Burnet, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the tailwheel compression spring, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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