Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during takeoff, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
NTSB analysis
The airline transport pilot was departing from an off airport site on a flight to his home airport under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that just after liftoff, a wind shift caused the tailwheel-equipped airplane to descend uncontrolled, striking its tail and left main landing gear on the ground. He said the airplane became airborne again, and he flew it back to the airport. He reported that once airborne, he saw that the left main landing gear was damaged by the impact with the ground. An examination of the airplane showed substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and the left main landing gear fuselage attachment.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC10CA055 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 24, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Cooper Landing, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 180
- N-number
- N7715A
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.