# NTSB SEA89LA047: Cessna 180, N9024C, Wrangell, AK, February 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1989, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Wrangell, AK
- Coordinates: 56.410991, -131.609878 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.4110&lon=-131.6099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40979
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40979/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA047

## Probable cause

THE PLT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND DURING TAKEOFF ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TERRAIN CONDITIONS AND GUSTING WINDS.

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM A ROUGH AND UNEVEN FROZEN RIVER IN THE SKI EQUIPPED ACFT. THE TAKEOFF WAS MADE INTO WINDS OF 20 KTS GUSTING TO 35 KTS. AS THE ACFT REACHED A SPEED OF APRX 35 KTS, A GUST OF WIND, COMBINED WITH THE ACFT BOUNCING ON THE ROUGH TERRAIN, TIPPED THE ACFT, CAUSING THE WING TO DRAG AND THE ACFT TO CARTWHEEL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9024C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9024C), registered now, S/N 31072, built 1954 (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: 31072
- Airframe hours: 2435
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary L. Allen, Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 1989, 2 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 330 in this make and model, 290 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 20 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °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 19890205011649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890205011649A), Feb 5, 1989: Cessna 180, Wrangell, AK, Substantial damage. Tried to takeoff skiplane crosswind on a frozen river. Dragged a wing and aircraft cartwheeled.

## Other investigations on N9024C (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 UNK64X3474](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3474), Aug 19, 1964: Cessna 180 (N9024C), Salem, OR, 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.

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