# NTSB GAA19CA286: Cessna 180, N3EH, Takotna, AK, May 26, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2019, 17:00 local (May 26, 2019, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Takotna, AK - Coordinates: 63.001945, -156.367218 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0019&lon=-156.3672&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99495 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA286 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99495/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99495 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA286 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff, which resulted in impact with vegetation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180D, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072610), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 180D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072610), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072610), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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 180D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072610), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072610), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072610), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, about the time he started rotation, the airplane veered right, the right wing contacted some brush, and the airplane impacted vegetation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, about the time he was rotating, the airplane veered right, the right wing contacted some brush and the airplane impacted the vegetation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located 13 miles south/east of the airstrip, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 5 knots. The airplane was taking off runway 31. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3EH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3EH), registered now, S/N 18051020, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 (D) - Registry model: [Cessna 180D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180d) (registry code 2072610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470R](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470r) (registry code 17071, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051020 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 8945.5 - Engines: Continental O-470-R81B 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 20, 2019 - Departed: 8KA, Tatitna, AK - Destination: A77, Takotna, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: A77, Yankee Creek 2, runway 31, 1,560 × 16 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 20, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 6,900 total, 3,722 in this make and model, 6,900 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.61 inHg - Observed at: PATL, 13 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 20190525005169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190525005169A), May 25, 2019: Cessna 180D, Yankee Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot in command stated the following during phone interview. He was very familar with the land and takeoff surface. He has landed at this location for many… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 18, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99495. 977 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 832 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474253&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474254&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.