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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

August 9, 1995 · Piper PA-18 · N7459L

Cordova, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Cordova, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N7459L
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC95LA134

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM A REMOTE, UNIMPROVED LANDING SITE. HE STATED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 300 POUNDS OF DEER MEAT IN THE BACK OF THE AIRPLANE. HE STATED THAT HE WAS TIRED AND SHOULD HAVE SLEPT, BUT HE DECIDED TO TAKEOFF INSTEAD OF SPENDING THE NIGHT. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AS THE AIRPLANE BECAME LIGHT ON THE WHEELS, IT DRIFTED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TAKEOFF AREA. ONE OF THE WHEELS HIT SOME BOULDERS AND SLOWED THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE THEN CONTINUED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE AND NOSED OVER IN BRUSH.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE INTENDED TAKEOFF AREA DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: PILOT FATIGUE AND THE PROXIMITY OF ROCKS/BOULDERS TO THE TAKEOFF AREA.

Full Narrative

On August 8, 1995, at 2130 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N7459L, registered to and operated by the pilot, crashed on takeoff from a mountain top on Montague Island, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing the accident site and the destination was Girdwood, Alaska. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. According to the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated he landed on a remote, off airport, landing site on top of a mountain. He described the landing area as uphill with a field elevation of 1,000 feet above mean sea level. He estimated the landing area to be 500 to 600 feet in length and the surface was very rough. The pilot stated he landed approximately 1430, hunted for a short time, shot four deer, and prepared the meat for transport. He said that after he "dressed out" the deer, the meat weighed 300 pounds. He said that the time was 2115 when he completed the task. He said he was tired and he should have slept on the mountain, but he elected to takeoff. The pilot stated he did not walk the takeoff area, as he normally does, to establish "visual cues." He started his takeoff roll in the downhill direction. He said that as the airplane was getting light on its wheels, it drifted off the right side of the takeoff area. The wheels struck some large boulders and the airplane slowed down. The airplane continued off the right side of the takeoff area and nosed over in the brush.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN7459L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility90 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data