Accident Overview
On July 5, 2025, at about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 180J floatplane, registration N52009, was substantially damaged after colliding with a stand of trees and coming to rest on wet, tundra-covered terrain near King Salmon, Alaska. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured, while a third passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight Details
The airplane departed from Campbell Lake Seaplane Base (A11) in Anchorage, Alaska, at about 1045, en route to Katmai National Park and Preserve for a bear viewing trip. During the journey, the pilot made a refueling stop at Port Alsworth Airport (TPO), departing at about 1340.
Pilot Account
In a postaccident interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that, due to his injuries, he could not recall the exact circumstances of the accident. He stated that he planned to land on Naknek Lake in front of the Brooks Camp Ranger Station. The pilot remembered configuring the airplane for landing by lowering the wing flaps to 20 degrees, with an airspeed between 80 and 90 knots as the airplane passed through 800 feet mean sea level (MSL). His last memory was turning onto a right downwind leg to align the approach over trees and land closer to the beach to reduce taxi distance.
Witness Observation
A witness at Lake Brooks, who was loading passengers into his own floatplane, reported hearing the accident airplane fly overhead with the engine sounding at normal cruise power. Shortly after, he heard the engine sound as if it went to full power, followed immediately by silence. The witness noted that strong, gusty southeasterly wind conditions, estimated between 20 and 30 knots, prevailed at the time of the accident.
Aircraft Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft's wings, fuselage, and empennage.
Investigation Status
A detailed NTSB wreckage examination is pending after recovery.
Figure
Figure 1 shows N52009 at the accident site (photo courtesy of Katmai National Park and Preserve) but is not reproduced here.