Pilot Debrief

Cessna 180 near Kotzebue, AK — 2020-08-22

Final reportANC20CA088
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Date
2020-08-22
Location
Kotzebue, AK, USA
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Registration
N9128T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an airspeed conducive to flight during takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during the downhill takeoff from a remote unimproved airstrip, with a quartering headwind, the wind shifted as the airplane became airborne. The airplane settled "with about 100 yds left on the runway" and he continued "trying to milk the flaps" to become airborne while continuing downhill. The airplane never attained flying speed again and settled into a creek bed. After the impact with terrain, the pilot reported there were "several wind gusts of 15-20 mph coming downhill". The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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