# NTSB ANC98LA153: Cessna 180, N9407C, Chalkitsik, AK, September 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 18, 1998, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Chalkitsik, AK - Coordinates: 66.639114, -143.780014 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.6391&lon=-143.7800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 44013 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44013/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA153 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to identify an unsafe/hazardous condition. A factor associated with the accident was soft terrain 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 - roll/run - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The private pilot was departing from a remote airstrip in a tailwheel equipped airplane. He reported that on the day of the accident he had already completed three round trips from the accident airstrip, ferrying passengers and supplies. He stated that during the accident takeoff run, about one-quarter down the runway, the airplane's main wheels sank into about 10 inches of soft mud. The airplane then nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, and rudder. ## Factual narrative On September 18, 1998, about 1130 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N9407C, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote airstrip located about 17 miles southwest of Chalkitsik, 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 certificated private pilot, and the one passenger aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the accident airstrip, about 1125. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on September 22, the pilot reported that on the day of the accident he had already completed three round trips from the accident airstrip, ferrying passengers and supplies. He stated that during the accident takeoff run, about one-quarter down the runway, the airplane's main wheels sank into about 10 inches of soft mud. The airplane then nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, and rudder. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9407C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9407C), registered now, S/N 31805, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31805 - Airframe hours: 4380 - Engines: Continental O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard E. Tyrrell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1998, 68 hours before - Destination: CHP, CIRCLE HOT SPR, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: runway 27, 1,300 × ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,895 total, 477 in this make and model, 1,857 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °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 19980918025579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980918025579A), Sep 18, 1998: Cessna 180, Chalkitsik, AK, Substantial damage. On September 18, 1998, about 1130 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N9407C, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a… ## Other investigations on N9407C (2) 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 ANC95LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA146), Aug 21, 1995: Cessna 180 (N9407C), Fort Yukon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE TAKEOFF AREA. - [NTSB ANC80FAA05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80FAA05), Feb 17, 1980: Cessna 180 (N9407C), Fairbanks, 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. --- 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.