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NTSB Report
July 31, 1985 · Piper PA-18 · N1104N
Kustatan River, AK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 31, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Kustatan River, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N1104N
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC85LA139
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE LANDED THE FLOAT PLANE ON THE KUSTATAN RIVER TO FISH. LATER, WHEN HE WAS DEPARTING, HE SELECTED AN AREA THAT REQUIRED NEGOTIATING A TURN ON THE STEP. HE REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A 10 TO 12 KNOT HEADWIND THAT BECAME A QUARTERING HEADWIND AS HE APPROACHED THE LIFT-OFF POINT. HOWEVER, AT THAT POINT, THE WIND WAS BLOCKED BY TREES TO VIRTUALLY NO WIND. REPORTEDLY, HE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED WHEN THE ACFT LIFTED OFF. SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT STALLED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT SETTLED TO THE SURFACE & NOSED OVER BEFORE COMING TO REST NEXT TO A SAND BAR. THE PLT DID NOT POSSESS A SEA PLANE RATING.
Full Narrative
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE LANDED THE FLOAT PLANE ON THE KUSTATAN RIVER TO FISH. LATER, WHEN HE WAS DEPARTING, HE SELECTED AN AREA THAT REQUIRED NEGOTIATING A TURN ON THE STEP. HE REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A 10 TO 12 KNOT HEADWIND THAT BECAME A QUARTERING HEADWIND AS HE APPROACHED THE LIFT-OFF POINT. HOWEVER, AT THAT POINT, THE WIND WAS BLOCKED BY TREES TO VIRTUALLY NO WIND. REPORTEDLY, HE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED WHEN THE ACFT LIFTED OFF. SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT STALLED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT SETTLED TO THE SURFACE & NOSED OVER BEFORE COMING TO REST NEXT TO A SAND BAR. THE PLT DID NOT POSSESS A SEA PLANE RATING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:15 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN1104N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingOvercast 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO