N9939V – Cessna 180 – 2019-06-28 NTSB Accident Report

On June 28, 2019, a Cessna 180 (N9939V) was involved in an incident near Wasilla, AK. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the left wing striking bushes. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distorted visual perception due to his flying with one seat cushion rather than the two cushions he typically used.

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he usually flies with two seat cushions, but he gave one cushion to his passenger. During the takeoff roll on the narrow grass surface private airstrip, he asserted that the missing cushion distorted his visual perception.

Using his peripheral vision, he felt the airplane had drifted to the left, so he applied right rudder and right brake. He recalled that the airplane's left wing struck bushes, but he continued the takeoff. The airplane's tail lifted, and the airplane veered left into the bushes.

Substantial damage was sustained to the right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA378. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9939V.