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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 2, 2000 · Piper PA-18-160 · N59645

Naknek, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 2, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Naknek, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-160
Tail Number
N59645
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC01LA001

The certificated commercial pilot started a southeasterly takeoff run on a 700 feet long airstrip. He added that the airplane's acceleration was slow due to wet, tundra-covered terrain. As the airplane neared the end of the airstrip, just before it became airborne, he turned the airplane to the left to avoid striking a truck parked at the end of the airstrip, and the left wing struck a cabin at the end of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. Factors associated with the accident were wet and soft terrain.

Full Narrative

On October 1, 2000, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N59645, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote airstrip, about 15 miles west of Naknek, Alaska, at 58 degrees, 43 minutes north latitude, 157 degrees, 01 minutes west longitude. The certificated commercial pilot, and the one passenger aboard, were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1750, from the Naknek Airport, Naknek. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on October 2, the pilot reported that as he started a southeasterly takeoff run on a 700 feet long remote airstrip, the airplane's acceleration was slow due to wet, tundra-covered terrain. He said that as he neared that end of the site, just before the airplane became airborne, he turned the airplane to the left to avoid striking a truck parked at the end of the airstrip, and the left wing struck a cabin at the end of the takeoff area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway15
Runway Length700 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-160
Tail NumberN59645
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 20 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingOvercast 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data