Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Haines, Alaska 99827
Tuesady, September 27, 2011 14:00 AKD

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot was taking off on a glassy lake in a float-equipped airplane. While on step, the airplane veered sharply to the right toward the nearby shore. The pilot said he tried to return to the departure heading using rudder and aileron, but the right wing encountered heavy brush, which caused the airplane to turn toward the shoreline. Realizing he was going to hit the shore, the pilot closed the throttle. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings and fuselage. The pilot said he did not know what caused the initial course deviation, but speculated that he may have encountered something hidden under the surface of the lake. A certificated aircraft mechanic with inspector authorization examined the airplane after the accident and said he did not find any flight control or rigging issues that would explain the initial course deviation.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in a float-equipped airplane for an undetermined reason, which resulted in the airplane colliding with trees and the shore.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 9/27/2011
Event Day of the Week Tuesday
Time of Event 1400
Event Time Zone --
Event City Haines
Event State ALASKA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 99827
Event Date Year 2011
Event Date Month 9
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 591423N
Event Location Longitude 1353020W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Pilot
Time of the weather observation
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) --
Weather Observation Facility ID --
Elevation of weather observation facility --
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) --
Time Zone of the weather observation --
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Scattered
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling Unknown
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 5
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 16
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) --
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) --
Variable Wind Indicator --
Wind Speed (knots) --
Wind Velocity Indicator Calm
Wind Gust Indicator --
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) --
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 1
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 29254
NTSB Notification Source FAA Anchorage, ROC
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Nov 30 2011 3:37PM
User who most recently changed record johb
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N3126D
NTSB Number ANC11CA112
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name CESSNA
Aircraft Model 180
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 31924
Certified Max Gross Weight 2850
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Jun 26 2011 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours 4827
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type C91-A
Aircraft Owner Name KINNEY NINA K TRUSTEE
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City JUNEAU
Aircraft Owner State AK
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 99801
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name KINNEY NINA K TRUSTEE
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City JUNEAU
Operator State AK
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 99801
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code --
Departure City Haines
Departure State AK
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1400
Departure Time Zone ADT
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code PAJN
Destination City Juneau
Destination State AK
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Nov 9 2011 4:42PM
User who most recently changed record stam
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location N/A
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --