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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 5, 1994 · Piper PA-18 · N4509Y

Culbertson, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 5, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Culbertson, MT
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N4509Y
Operator
Honeyland
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA94LA140

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF IN GUSTY CROSSWINDS. HIS TAKEOFF ROLL WAS PARALLEL TO A FENCE ON THE EDGE OF AN OPEN FIELD FROM WHICH HE WAS DEPARTING. BECAUSE OF THE CROSSWIND, THE PILOT HAD TO HOLD THE RIGHT WING DOWN DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. HIS AIRCRAFT WAS HIT BY A STRONG GUST JUST AS HE WAS LIFTING OFF, AND HE FAILED TO ROLL WINGS-LEVEL IN TIME TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT FROM TURNING TO THE RIGHT AND IMPACTING THE FENCE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS INCLUDE GUSTY CROSSWINDS, AND A FENCE NEAR THE POINT OF TAKEOFF.

Full Narrative

On June 5, 1994, approximately 0930 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Piper PA-18, N4509Y, impacted a fence during a takeoff from an open field near Culbertson, Montana. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The FAR Part 91 business flight, which was departing for Wolf Point Airport, Wolf Point, Montana, was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, his takeoff roll, which was being attempted in gusty crosswinds, was parallel to a fence which ran along the edge of an open field from which he was departing. Because of the crosswind, the pilot was holding the right wing down during the takeoff roll. After being hit by a strong gust just as the aircraft lifted off, the pilot failed to roll wings-level soon enough to keep the aircraft from making a right turn into the fence.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN4509Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHoneyland
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data