Cessna 180J N7807K accident near Palmer, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off with a slight tailwind.

NTSB analysis

During takeoff from a lake in a westerly direction, the airplane climbed to about 100 feet above ground level (agl) when the pilot retracted the flaps. Subsequently, the airplane rolled to the right and descended into trees and terrain. The pilot stated that he thought that he stalled the airplane on takeoff but that he did not recall hearing a stall warning horn. He added that he may have retracted the flap handle from the third notch to the first notch setting. Examination of the airplane revealed that flap handle was in the second notch, or 20-degree setting. The stall warning horn was removed and functioned normally; however, the investigation was unable to determine if the stall warning system was intact and calibrated due to impact damage to the wing and airframe. A review of weather data from a reporting facility about 4 miles east of the accident site revealed that about 3 minutes before the accident the wind was from 080 degrees at 8 knots, indicating that a slight tailwind would have existed at takeoff.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC13LA081 for the full record.