Cessna 180 N95EA

Summary

On 2 September 2018 at about 21:30 local time, a Cessna 180 registered N95EA was involved in an accident near Yakutat, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 September 2018 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Yakutat, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Yakutat (2Y3)

Coordinates

59.5661, -139.7408

Aircraft

Cessna 180

Registration

N95EA

Category

Airplane

Year built

1969

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Yakutat → Cordova

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA572

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the airplane during a step-turn takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.