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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

September 13, 1994 · Piper PA-18 · N8653Y

Kodiak, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 13, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Kodiak, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N8653Y
Operator
Hulbert Ward A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC94LA138

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER OF A TUNDRA TIRE EQUIPPED TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE WERE DEPARTING A REMOTE BEACH LANDING STRIP ON A PERSONAL CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT A CROSS-WIND OF 15 KNOTS WAS BLOWING AND THE TERRAIN WAS ROUGH AND UNEVEN. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE HIT A BUMP AND BEGAN TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR STRUCK A LOG AND THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR AND RIGHT WING.

NTSB Probable Cause

A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. A CROSSWIND AND ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

On September 13, 1994, at 0930 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8653Y, owned and operated by the pilot-in-command, experienced an on ground collision with terrain during takeoff at Cape Douglas across from Kodiak Island on the Alaska Peninsula. The private certificated pilot and his one passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. At the time of the mishap, the flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot left an itinerary of his flight schedule with his wife and reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the accident. During a telephone interview on the afternoon of September 15, 1994, the pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that during a beach takeoff the right main landing gear rolled onto a rough surface depression resulting in the collapse of the landing gear and collateral damage to the right wing. The pilot indicated that a cross-wind from the south at 15 knots was blowing at the time of the accident.

Flight

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

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN8653Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHulbert Ward A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data