# Accident 20180820011869A: Piper PA-18-150, Nikolai, AK, August 20, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 20, 2018, 08:32 local time
- Place: Nikolai, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 62.7975° N, 152.9308° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.7975&lon=-152.9308&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6727A, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6727A) (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: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 18,000 total, 4,400 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA18CA504](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA504) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180820011869A

## Narrative

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

PILOT AND PASSENGER LANDED IN A HUNTING LOCATION SHORTLY AFTER HIGH WINDS IN THE AREA BECAME  PRESENT. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER STAYED IN THAT LOCATION FOR TWO DAYS. ON THE SECOND DAY THE WINDS HAD CALMED DOWN AND THE PILOT CHOSE TO ATTEMPT A CROSS WIND TAKEOFF. THE CROSS WIND PROHIBITED THE AIRCRAFT FROM BECOMING AIRBORNE IN TIME AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN A SHALLOW RIVER JUST PAST THE END OF THE IMPROMPTU AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE AIRCRAFT ON THEIR OWN. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE CROSS WIND THAT WAS PRESENT EXTENDED THE TAKE OFF RUN LONGER THAN THE PILOT ANTICIPATED. THE LACK OF FORWARD RELATIVE WIND WAS THE PRIMARY FACTOR INVOLVED WHICH PREVENTED THE AIRCRAFT FROM TAKING FLIGHT IN THE SPECIFIED RUNWAY (AIRSTRIP) DISTANCE.

THE PILOT WAS COUNSELED BY THE INVESTIGATING INSPECTOR ABOUT SAFE PRACTICES AND JUDGEMENT ON TAKEOFF ABORTIONS.

PLEASE SEE PTRS# 201804492

## 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 GAA18CA504](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA504), Aug 20, 2018: Piper PA18 (N6727A), McGrath, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in a crosswind.

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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