N2347C

On September 8, 2000, about 1300, Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 180 airplane, N2347C, sustained substantial damage after colliding with trees and terrain shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip near Sterling, Alaska, at 60 degrees, 32 minutes north latitude, 150 degrees, 52 minutes west longitude. The airplane is owned and operated by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airline transport pilot and the one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated from Kenai, Alaska, about 1245.

In a telephone interview on January 29, 2001, the pilot reported that during a touch-and-go landing on the 1,300-foot gravel runway, the airplane touched down approximately 500-1000 feet beyond the landing threshold. Immediately after touchdown, the pilot applied power and initiated the takeoff. Shortly after becoming airborne, the airplane collided with trees and terrain approximately 50 feet beyond the departure end of the runway.

The pilot reported that the airplane encountered turbulence and a downdraft shortly after departure.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.

No mechanical anomalies or failures were reported with the airplane that may have contributed to the accident.