NTSB Factual Report

On July 28, 2001, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N7275P, received substantial damage during an aborted takeoff from the Horsfeld airstrip, located about 70 miles northeast of McCarthy, Alaska. The certificated commercial pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the accident airstrip and was en route to Chisana, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on July 28, the pilot reported that during an uphill takeoff run to the northwest, the airplane failed to gain proper airspeed for takeoff. He said that he aborted the takeoff, but the airplane continued to roll as he approached the end of the airstrip. He said that airplane rolled to the end of the airstrip, down an embankment, and collided with brush. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

Horsfeld airstrip is noted on the NOAA Anchorage Aviation Sectional Chart as 1,100 feet long, and at an elevation of 3,300 feet msl.

In the Pilot/Operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) filed by the pilot, he reported that during the takeoff roll, just before the airplane reached flying speed, a sudden gust of wind from the east pushed the airplane to the left. He said that he tried to abort the takeoff, but was unable to stop the airplane before reaching the end of the airstrip.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor associated with the accident was a sudden wind shift.