# NTSB ANC99LA079: Cessna 180K, N2958K, Kotzebue, AK, June 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 21, 1999, 09:48 local (17:48 UTC) - Place: Kotzebue, AK - Coordinates: 67.240493, -161.190658 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2405&lon=-161.1907&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46614 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46614/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA079 ## 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) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The Swiss foreign national pilot, who holds a Swiss airline transport certificate, was attempting a southeasterly departure from a 1,700 feet long off-airport site. He stated that during the early stages of the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left. He said that he applied full right rudder in an attempt to correct, but the airplane continued off the left side of the site, pivoted 90 degrees to the left, and nosed over. He stated that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and lift struts. The pilot reported that the airplane had recently been retrofitted with oversized tundra tires. He added that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Wind conditions at the time of the accident were reported to be from the southeast, at 10 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 21, 1999, about 0948 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N2958K, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from an off-airport site located about 51 miles northeast of Kotzebue, 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 Swiss foreign national pilot, who holds a Swiss airline transport certificate, and the one passenger aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 21, the pilot reported that he was attempting a southeasterly departure from a 1,700 feet long off-airport site. He stated that during the early stages of the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left. He said that he applied full right rudder in an attempt to correct, but the airplane continued off the left side of the site, pivoted 90 degrees to the left, and nosed over. He stated that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and lift struts. The pilot reported that the airplane had recently been retrofitted with oversized tundra tires. He added that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Wind conditions at the time of the accident were reported to be from the southeast, at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2958K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2958K), registered now, S/N 18053139, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180K - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18053139 - Airframe hours: 1500 - Engines: Continental O-470-U-18B 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Swiss Alaska Flyers LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1999, 16 hours before - Departed: BTT, BETTLES, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,900 total, 195 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 10 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19990621021919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990621021919A), Jun 21, 1999: Cessna 180K, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On June 21, 1999, abut 0948 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N2958K, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from an… 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.