On June 23, 1995, a Cessna 180 (registration N5177E) was involved in an aviation accident near Minto, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to use the full length of the available takeoff area, which resulted in insufficient altitude to clear trees at the end of the slough. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A float-equipped aircraft sustained substantial damage after colliding with trees while attempting to take off from a slough, as the pilot did not utilize the full available distance.
What happened
The pilot reported that he was attempting to take off his float-equipped airplane from a slough. He stated that he did not use the full length of the area available for takeoff. Upon reaching the end of the slough, the airplane's altitude was insufficient to clear the trees which lined the bank. The airplane collided with the trees and sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation revealed that the pilot elected to initiate the takeoff roll without utilizing the entire length of the available runway surface. This decision resulted in an inadequate airspeed and climb gradient at the point where the waterway ended, leading directly to the collision with the tree line.
Findings
Contributing factors included the pilot's failure to use the full length of the takeoff area and the resulting insufficient altitude to clear obstacles. The substantial damage to the aircraft was a direct consequence of the collision with the trees at the end of the slough.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to use the full length of the available takeoff area, which resulted in insufficient altitude to clear trees at the end of the slough.