# NTSB GAA19CA378: Cessna 180, N9939V, Wasilla, AK, June 28, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 28, 2019, 11:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: Wasilla, AK - Coordinates: 61.481945, -149.743896 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4819&lon=-149.7439&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99738 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA378 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99738/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99738 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA378 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the left wing striking bushes. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distorted visual perception due to his flying with one seat cushion rather than the two cushions he typically used. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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 180H, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he usually flies with two seat cushions, but he gave one cushion to his passenger. He added that, during the takeoff roll on the narrow grass surface, private airstrip, the missing cushion distorted his visual perception. Using his peripheral vision, he felt the airplane had drifted left, so he applied right rudder and brake. The left wing struck bushes, but he continued the takeoff. The tail lifted, and the airplane veered left into the bushes. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he usually flies with two seat cushions, but he gave one cushion to his passenger. During the takeoff roll on the narrow grass surface private airstrip, he asserted that the missing cushion distorted his visual perception. Using his peripheral vision, he felt the airplane had drifted to the left, so he applied right rudder and right brake. He recalled that the airplane's left wing struck bushes, but he continued the takeoff. The airplane's tail lifted, and the airplane veered left into the bushes. Substantial damage was sustained to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9939V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9939V), registered now, S/N 18051791, built 1966 (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: 18051791 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 5382 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 2018 - Departed: 79AK, Wasilla, AK - Destination: 79AK, Wasilla, AK - Airport: 79AK, Huttunen Strip, runway 29, 1,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 5, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 759 total, 78 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: PABV, 8 nm away ## Other investigations on N9939V (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 ANC88LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA071), Jun 26, 1988: Cessna 180H (N9939V), Big River, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99738. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477767&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 246 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477768&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.