Cessna 180 accident near Shaktoolik, AK
On June 16, 2023, a Cessna 180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Shaktoolik, AK. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 16, 2023
- Place
- Shaktoolik, AK
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 64.528°N, 160.086°W
- NTSB ID
- 20230616192387
Official records · ANC23FA042
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn June 16, 2023, about 1135 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 180H airplane, N91361, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Shaktoolik, Alaska. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand charter flight. The airplane was operated by Golden Eagle Outfitters, Inc. in support of a remote bear hunting excursion. Two hunting guides were waiting on a remote off-airport mountain ridgeline airstrip near their camp to be picked up and flown to Unalakleet Airport (PAUN) after a hunting trip. An hour before the accident, the pilot departed with two hunters/clients and told the guides he would be back to pick them up. When the pilot returned, he boarded one of the guides and some of their gear, then arranged to return for the other and the remaining gear. The guide who witnessed the accident stated that the winds “were gusting and changing a lot” and increased during the hour they waited for the pilot’s return. He stated he had flown with the pilot many times and had witnessed the pilot perform takeoffs and landings from the airstrip many times. The airstrip was about 750 ft long and situated atop a down-sloping, rock- and grass-covered ridgeline. The airplane normally landed uphill on about a 060° heading, then departed in the opposite direction, downhill, on a heading about 240°. During previous departures, after takeoff, the airplane would dip below the airstrip off the departure end, out of sight, then climb back into view and out of the valley. The wi
Probable cause
The pilot’s encounter with gusting tailwind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in impact with a tree, a loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.
More accidents in AK
- Beech 1900C, Nov 23, 1987
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Browse: Alaska · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
