N2162Z

On September 17, 2003, about 1930 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N2162Z, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a log during the takeoff roll from a remote beach, about 10 miles west-southwest of Cape Yakataga, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The airline transport certificated pilot, and the three passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 23, the pilot reported that he had been fishing in the area for a few days, and had previously flown between the accident location and another camp. The pilot indicated that he planned to depart toward the west, but was looking directly into the sun, so he altered his takeoff direction slightly to the left of his planned path. During the takeoff run, just as the airplane began to lift off, the right main landing gear struck a partially buried log. The pilot aborted the takeoff and stopped the airplane. He discovered that the right gear strut was displaced aft about 45 degrees, and outboard about 20 degrees.

The airplane was recovered from the beach and was examined in Wasilla, Alaska, on September 23, by the NTSB IIC. The right main landing gear fuselage attach point was extensively buckled and torn.