19990530006129A

Crashed on takeoff. (.19) on may 30, 1999, about 1545 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8570C, received substantial damage during takeoff from the Port Alsworth airstrip, Port Alsworth, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) flight under title 14, CFR part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot, and the one passenger aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at merrill field, anchorage, Alaska, about 1340. During a telephone conversation with the national transportation safety board investigator-in-charge on June 1, the pilot reported that he was attempting a southerly departure from a 3,000 feet long gravel strip. He stated that during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left. He applied full right aileron and right rudder, but the airplane continued to veer left. The left wing struck a stand of trees, and pivoted about 90 degrees to the left. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. (-23) on may 30, 1999 at about 1545 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8570C, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from the airport at Port Alsworth, Alaska. As a result of the accident, the private pilot sustained minor injuries and the one passenger was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, the winds were 20 degrees from the right at 11 knots and gusty at the time of the accident according to the pilot and witnesses. The pilot stated that he was attempting a southerly departure from the 3000' gravel strip, and on the takeoff run, the aircraft veered to the right, and he corrected to the left, after the correction, the aircraft veered to the left, and with full right aileron and rudder the aircraft continued to the left and struck a stand of trees, pivoted about 90 degrees to the left and came to rest in a nose low attitude. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. (.4) the private pilot was attempting a southerly departure from a 3,000 feet long gravel airstrip, in a tundra tire equipped, tailwheel airplane. He stated that during the takeoff roll, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer to the left. He applied full right aileron and right rudder, but the airplane continued to veer left. The left wing struck a stand of trees, and pivoted about 90 degrees to the left. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, and fuselage. The closest official weather observation station is Port Alsworth. On may 30, at 1548, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) was reporting in part: wind, 209 (magnetic) degrees at 11 knots; visibility, 30 statute miles; clouds, 4,000 feet broken, 8,000 feet broken; temperature, 50 degrees f; dew point, 41 degrees f; altimeter, 29.75 inhg.