# NTSB ANC96LA106: Cessna 182, N2831F, Nikiski, AK, July 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 1996, 21:00 local (Jul 24, 1996, 05:00 UTC) - Place: Nikiski, AK - Location: 60.6903° N, 151.2889° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nikiski, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6903&lon=-151.2889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2863 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2863/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA106 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb ## Analysis The pilot and two passengers had been fishing at a remote river site with a float-equipped airplane. During the takeoff run, as the airplane approached a bend in the river, the pilot allowed the airplane to accelerate until it was planing on the floats step. The airplane failed to negotiate the bend in the river and skipped towards the outside bank. The pilot attempted to clear the bank by becoming airborne, but the left float struck the top of the bank. The airplane continued over the bank and came to rest about 100 feet inland. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 1996, about 2100 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 182 airplane, N2831F, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during an attempted takeoff from the Kustatan River, located approximately 30 miles west of Nikiski, Alaska. The private certificated pilot received minor injuries; the two passengers aboard were not injured. According to the owner of the airplane, who occupied the right front seat at the time of the accident and is also a certificated pilot, the pilot was attempting to takeoff upstream in a fairly narrow portion of the river. The airplane accelerated normally, and the floats were planing, "on the step", when the airplane was required to negotiate an approximate 30 degree right bend in the river. The airplane's owner said he thought the pilot may have entered the bend at too high a speed, and therefore was unable to keep the airplane centered in the river channel. The airplane skipped to the left, and when collision with the bank appeared imminent, the pilot pulled back on the yoke in an attempt to become airborne. The airplane momentarily left the water, but the left float struck the top of the bank. The airplane continued about 100 feet inland, where it collided with trees and brush. Subsequent conversations between the NTSB investigator-in-charge and the pilot disclosed essentially the same information. The airplane's owner, and the pilot, both of whom are certificated aviation mechanics, said there was no preimpact mechanical difficulties with the airplane that would have caused or contributed to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2831F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2831F-2019-03-16), registration cancelled 2019-03-16, S/N 18256931, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182 - Registry model: [Cessna 182J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182j) (registry code 2072722) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18256931 - Airframe hours: 4400 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jim D. Ruckman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1996, 60 hours before - Departed: Z41, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: Z41, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 40 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - 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 19960723019749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960723019749A), Jul 23, 1996: Cessna 182J, Nikiski, AK, Substantial damage. On the step for water takeoff failed make bend in river. Pulled it off and struck trees 100FT inland. 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.