# NTSB ANC98LA127: Cessna 180, N180WH, Cordova, AK, August 19, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 1998, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Cordova, AK - Coordinates: 60.790092, -145.610183 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7901&lon=-145.6102&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 43870 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43870/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA127 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were soft airstrip conditions, and trees. ## 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 - roll/run - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The airline transport pilot was attempting a southerly departure from a 1,300 feet long gravel airstrip in a tailwheel equipped airplane. He stated that during the takeoff roll, midway down the airstrip, the airplane's left wheel dug into an area of soft ground. The airplane veered to the left, and the left wing struck a stand of trees that borders the airstrip. The airplane pivoted about 90 degrees to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane's right wing struck the ground, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 1998, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N180WH, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote airstrip located about 65 miles southwest of Cordova, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Cordova Airport, Cordova, about 1100. In his written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot reported that he was attempting a southerly departure from a 1,300 feet long gravel airstrip. He stated that during the takeoff roll, midway down the airstrip, the airplane's left wheel dug into an area of soft ground. The airplane veered to the left, and the left wing struck a stand of trees that borders the airstrip. The airplane pivoted about 90 degrees to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane's right wing struck the ground, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180WH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N180WH), registered now, S/N 18050972, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180d) (registry code 2072610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18050972 - Airframe hours: 5003 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Elwood & Karen Schapansky - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1998, 34 hours before - Destination: CDV, AK - Airport: Beach River Airstrip, runway 18, 1,300 × 100 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,746 total, 900 in this make and model, 8,609 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - 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 19980819021299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980819021299A), Aug 19, 1998: Cessna 180D, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed on takeoff. (.4) the airline transport pilot was attempting a southerly departure from a 1,300 feet long gravel airstrip in a tailwheel equipped… ## Other investigations on N180WH (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 SEA95LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA081), Apr 15, 1995: Cessna 180D (N180WH), Nyssa, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL EN ROUTE. 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.