Cessna 180 N2162Z

Summary

On 18 September 2003 at about 03:30 local time, a Cessna 180 registered N2162Z, operated by Benjamin K. Baker, was involved in an accident near Cape Yakataga, Alaska, United States. 4 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

18 September 2003 at 03:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cape Yakataga, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

60.1000, -142.8250

Aircraft

Cessna 180

Registration

N2162Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Benjamin K. Baker

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cape Yakataga → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC03LA122

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for departure, which resulted in a collision with a log during the takeoff roll. Factors contribuiting to the accident were the presence of hidden obstructions, and sunglare.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airline transport certificated pilot was departing from a remote beach area. The pilot indicated that he planned to depart toward the west, but was looking directly into the sun, so he altered his takeoff direction slightly to the left of his planned path. During the takeoff run, just as the airplane began to lift off, the right main landing gear struck a partially buried log. The pilot aborted the takeoff and stopped the airplane. He discovered that the right gear strut was displaced aft about 45 degrees, and outboard about 20 degrees. The right main landing gear fuselage attach point was extensively buckled and torn.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.