# NTSB GAA18CA572: Cessna 180, N95EA, Yakutat, AK, September 2, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 2, 2018, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Yakutat, AK - Coordinates: 59.566112, -139.740829 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.5661&lon=-139.7408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98390 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA572 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98390/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98390 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA572 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the airplane during a step-turn takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while on step during takeoff from an ocean bay and as she turned the float-equipped airplane into the wind, the left wing and float raised. The right wing impacted the water, and the airplane pivoted about 90° clockwise before coming to rest partially submerged on its left side. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A video of the takeoff taken from the shore showed the airplane making a sweeping left turn on the step. Wind indications in the video showed the wind coming from the airplane's left. The left turn tightens as the airplane turns into the wind, the left wing and float lift, and the right wing then strikes the water. The automated weather observation system about 4 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 330° at 8 knots. The pilot was departing to the northwest. The pilot reported that the wind at the accident site was light and variable at 0 to 5 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while on step, during takeoff from an ocean bay, as she turned the float-equipped airplane into the wind, the left wing and float raised. The right wing impacted the water and the airplane pivoted about 90° clockwise before coming to rest partially submerged on its left side. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that, it was suggested that the airplane may have encountered a whale, but she did not feel any impact or bump during the takeoff. The NTSB was provided a video of the takeoff taken from the shore. In the video the airplane is seen making a sweeping left turn on the step, moving away from the camera. Wind indications in the video show the wind coming from the airplane's left. The left turn appears to tighten as the airplane comes into the wind, the left wing and float appear to lift, and the right wing strikes the water ending the takeoff run. The automated weather observation system about 4 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 330° at 8 knots. The pilot was departing to the northwest. The pilot reported that the wind at the accident site was light and variable at 0 to 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95EA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N95EA), registered now, S/N 18052052 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052052 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 6978 - Engines: Continental O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2018 - Departed: 2Y3, Yakutat, AK - Destination: CKU, Cordova, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 2Y3, Yakutat, runway NW, 7,500 × 2,000 ft, water - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 17, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 16,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: PAYA, 4 nm away ## 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 20180902012939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180902012939A), Sep 2, 2018: Cessna 180H, Yakutat, AK, Substantial damage. At approximately 1:30P adt, N95EA, Cessna 180 departed Yakutat harbor for cordova. During takeoff, while on step, the aircraft encountered a small wake under… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98390. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 908 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469498&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 425 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469499&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-Master.PDF - Video Excerpts (item 3, .PDF, 243 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469500&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Video%20Excerpts-Master.PDF 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.