19990912025309A

(.19) On September 12, 1999, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1886P, sustained substantial damage while taking off from a remote area, about 65 miles west of Iliamna, Alaska, at latitude 59 degrees, 59.46 minutes north, and longitude 156 degrees, 57.38 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under title 14 CFR part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by allgood flying service, chugiak, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A federal aviation administration (FAA) inspector, anchorage flight standards district office (FSDO), traveled to the accident scene and interviewed the pilot. The inspector said the pilot landed to drop off a passenger at a hunting camp. The pilot intended to depart and return to Iliamna. The pilot said he departed downhill from an area about 800 feet long. The airplane fuel selector was on "both." As the airplane became airborne, and climbed to about 15 feet above the ground, the engine began to lose power. The pilot selected the left fuel tank, and the engine began to gain power, but the airplane collided with trees and nosed over. The airplane received damage to the left wing lift strut, the engine mount and firewall, and both wings. (-23) on September 19, 1999, at about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1886P, sustained substantial damage while taking off from a mountainous ridge approximately 65 miles west of Iliamna, Alaska. At the time of the accident, the airplane was operated by allgood flying service under title 14 CFR part 91. The commercial certificated pilot was the sole occupant, and was uninjured as a result of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During an interview with a FAA inspector, the pilot stated that he had just fueled the aircraft, adding approximately 10 gallons to the left fuel tank and the fuel selector was in the "both" position. Shortly after becoming airborne, the engine lost power, the pilot immediately switched the fuel selector to the left position, and just prior to impact the engine began to make power again. The aircraft collided with trees and overturned. Damage to the aircraft included wing lift struts, ribs, the engine mount and firewall. (.4) the commercial certificated pilot landed to drop off a passenger at a remote hunting camp. He placed about 12 gallons of fuel in the left wing fuel tank. The pilot then departed downhill from an area about 800 feet long. The airplane fuel selector was on 'both.' As the airplane became airborne, and climbed to about 15 feet above the ground, the engine began to lose power. The pilot selected the left fuel tank, and the engine began to gain power, but the airplane collided with trees and nosed over. The airplane received damage to the left wing lift strut, the engine mount and firewall, and both wings.