ANC10CA059

The pilot's decision to take off in unfavorable wind conditions.

The pilot reported that he was attempting to take off from an airstrip that was about 1,300 feet long. He noted that the wind was variable and gusting. During takeoff the airplane became airborne and subsequently began to settle back on the airstrip. As the airplane was approaching a bluff, the pilot realized that he did not have enough runway surface left to continue the takeoff. He pulled the power to idle and let the airplane settle onto the ground. The pilot then applied hard left rudder to avoid going over the bluff, at which point the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that the airframe and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the attempted takeoff.

On July 12, 2010, at 1400 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 180J, N7751K, sustained substantial damage when it veered off a dirt airstrip and nosed over, about 18 miles south-southwest of Kakhonak, Alaska. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91. The certificated airline transport pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight plan had been filed. The personal flight originated at Homer, Alaska, about 0930. The pilot reported to the Safety Board investigator that the airstrip was about 1,300 feet long, and he was departing in the easterly direction, with variable winds at 8 knots gusting to 14 knots. During takeoff the airplane got airborne, then started to settle back to the airstrip. He said he was approaching a bluff, and did not have enough runway to continue the takeoff. He pulled the power to idle, let the airplane settle onto the ground and applied hard left rudder to avoid going over the bluff and into the water below. During this maneuver the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the attempted takeoff.