# NTSB ANC95LA156: Cessna 180, N5293D, Igiugig, AK, September 3, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1995, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Igiugig, AK
- Coordinates: 58.750507, -156.539382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.7505&lon=-156.5394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 6, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA156

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION TO ASSURE THE AIRPLANE WOULD MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE FROM THE RIVER BANK DURING 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE DEPARTING FROM THE MOUTH OF A RIVER IN A FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE, TO RETURN THE PASSENGERS TO A FISHING LODGE. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT STRUCK THE EDGE OF A 7 FOOT HIGH RIVER BANK. THE AIRPLANE SLID OVER THE BANK AND DOWN TOWARD AN OCEAN BEACH, THEN NOSED OVER. IT RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE FLOATS, WINGS, FUSELAGE, AND VERTICAL STABILIZER.

## Factual narrative

On September 3, 1995, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 180, N5293D, crashed during takeoff from a remote river, about 75 miles southeast of Igiugig, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country business/fish guiding flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred.  The airplane, operated by Kvichak Lodge, Igiugig, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot and 3 passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported that he was departing from the mouth of the Big River on the Alaska peninsula in the Katmai National Park.  During the takeoff, the airplane became airborne but struck the edge of a 7 foot high river bank.  The airplane slid over the bank and down toward an ocean beach and then nosed over.  The airplane received damage to the floats, wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5293D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5293D-2013-04-08), registration cancelled 2013-04-08, S/N 50191, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50191
- Airframe hours: 6880
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Kvichak Lodge
- Registered owner: Mike Mcdowell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1995, 50 hours before
- Destination: IGG, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 70 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 19950903027719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950903027719A), Sep 3, 1995: Cessna 180A, Igiugig, AK, Substantial damage. Float plane struck river bank on takeoff from big river. Slid over bank down to ocean beach. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N5293D (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 ANC76DAA12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAA12), Aug 30, 1975: Cessna 180 (N5293D), Umiat, 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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