Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control when encountering a downdraft during the initial climb after takeoff, resulting in a collision with terrain.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was taking off from a sandbar when the airplane encountered a downdraft. The left landing gear subsequently struck the riverbank and was sheared off. The left wing then contacted the ground and the airplane slid to a stop on its fuselage, receiving substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage and tail section.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC11CA098 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 14, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mcgrath, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Cessna 180A
- N-number
- N7814A
- 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.