Cessna 180E accident near Kotzebue, Alaska, September 26, 2021
On September 26, 2021, a 1961 Cessna 180E, registered N716, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Kotzebue, Alaska (Ralph Wien Memorial airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of control during takeoff due to a gusty, variable wind and the rough terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 26, 2021
- Place
- Kotzebue, Alaska · Ralph Wien Memorial · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180E, built 1961 · all 180Es on the register
- Registration
- N716 · no longer on the register · serial 18051088
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was attempting to takeoff from a gravel bar along a river. The airplane got airborne and cleared a rock bluff; however, it settled back to the ground on the other side. The terrain was rough, and he was unable to get the airplane airborne again. The left landing gear collapsed, and the fuselage was damaged. The pilot stated there were no issues with the airplane before the accident, and the engine seemed to be making full power. The wind was gusty and variable.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › (general) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 17,000 hours in all; 200 in the last 90 days; 75 in the last 30 days; 11,000 as pilot in command; 1,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 1, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,000 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors O-470-K (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N/A Otz AK at 8:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1.2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,200 ft
- Temperature: 28°F (-2°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.83 inHg
- Observation at 4:28 pm from PAWN, 19 miles away
Weather report (METAR): SPECI PAWN 260028Z AUTO 03006KT 1 1/4SM -SN BR OVC012 M02/M03 A2983
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on March 18, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Airplane Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.