# Accident 20161106023949A: Piper PA-18-150, Anchorage, AK, November 6, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 6, 2016, 16:30 local time
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Rotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.2553° N, 150.4000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2553&lon=-150.4000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N62744, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62744) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18-150 (registry code 7101828, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 644 total, 319 in this make and model, 58 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA17CA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA057) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161106023949A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AT APPROXIMATELLY 1630 HOURS THE PIC STARTED HIS TAKEOFF ROLL, HE SAID HE FELT A GUST HIT THE TAIL AND CORRECTED FOR IT WITH THE RUDDER. THEN AS SOON AS THE TIRES STARTED TO LEAVE THE GROUND THERE WAS A STRONG QUARTERING TAILWIND GUST THAT PUSHED THE AIRPLANE 20-30 FEET TO THE SIDE AND PUT IT IN LINE WITH A 2' DIAMETER BY 40' LONG COTTONWOOD LOG LAYING ON THE TIDAL FLATS. HE COULDNT AVOID THE LOG SO HE TRIED TO KEEP THE TAIL UP AS HE CROSSED OVER IT TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO THE TAIL AND MAINTAIN CONTROL. HE BOUNCED SLIGHTLY OFF THE LOG AND THEN DESCENDED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT. THERE WAS A NARROW DEEP CHANNEL OF WATER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LOG. HE HIT THE BANK OF THE CHANNEL WITH HIS FRONT TIRES, COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR. HE PULLED THE STICK BACK AND CUT POWER TO TRY AND KEEP FROM FLIPPING OVER. THE LEFT WINGTIP HIT THE GROUND HARD AND SPUN THE AIRPLANE AROUND.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA17CA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA057), Nov 7, 2016: Piper PA18 (N62744), Mouth of The Big Susitna River, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to take off with a gusting quartering tailwind and his subsequent loss of airplane control.

## Other reports on N62744 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19850314009619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850314009619A), Mar 14, 1985: Piper PA18150 (N62744), Koyukuk, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled while maneuvering at low altitude on aerial wolverine hunt. Impacted ground from 150 feet.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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