Cessna 180K accident near Ambler, Alaska, June 15, 2018
On June 15, 2018 at about 11:38 pm local time, a 1980 Cessna 180K, registered N2957K, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Ambler, Alaska. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area with unfavorable wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to maintain a climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 15, 2018 · about 11:38 pm local time
- Place
- Ambler, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180K, built 1980 · all 180Ks on the register
- Registration
- N2957K · registry record · serial 18053138
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport pilot was conducting a tour flight with two passengers onboard and landed on a hilly sand dune. He reported that the wind increased by 10 to 20 knots over a 2-hour period. The pilot said that, after considering and reviewing several downhill departure routes, he selected a departure route that was into the wind. Just after a downhill takeoff, the headwind diminished, the airplane stopped climbing, and the stall warning horn sounded. The airplane subsequently collided with rising terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the forward fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot selected an unsuitable takeoff area with unfavorable wind conditions, which likely resulted in the airplane's inability to maintain a climb.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during initial climb
- Loss of lift during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven terrain › Decision related to condition
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Variable wind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 17,000 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 56 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 17,000 as pilot in command; 700 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 3, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 28,488.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 2, 2018; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,190 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 SERIES (piston); 1,837 hours total
- Operator: Northstar Aero LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Ambler AK
- Destination: FAI Fairbanks AK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from PAFM, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.