# Accident 20200528009319A: Piper PA-18-150, Sterling, AK, May 28, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 28, 2020, 10:00 local time
- Place: Sterling, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Rotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 60.5333° N, 150.7683° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5333&lon=-150.7683&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7164B, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7164B) (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: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 6,000 total, 5,300 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC20CA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA051) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200528009319A

## Narrative

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

PILOT TOOK OFF FROM PRIVATE AIRSTRIP WHICH IS LOCATED APPROX. 9 MILES NORTHEAST OF SXQ AIRPORT.  RUNWAY IS GRASS WITH LARGE TREES BORDERING THE RUNWAY.  WEATHER CONDITIONS AT TIME REPORTED AT SXQ WAS CLEAR, 14/00, WIND 010@4 KTS.

JUST AS AIRCRAFT LIFTED OFF RUNWAY, IT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND THE LEFT WINGTIP CAUGHT A TREE.  AIRCRAFT VEERED TO LEFT AND STRUCK LARGE COTTONWOOD TREES, COMING TO ABRUPT STOP AND NOSING OVER.  AIRCRAFT WAS STUCK BETWEEN TWO LARGE TREES.  PILOT WAS EVACUATED FROM AIRCRAFT THROUGH THE BROKEN WINDSHIELD AREA.  DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT IS SUBSTANTIAL, INCLUDING BENT MAIN FUSELAGE, BENT WINGS, CORK-SCREWED PROPELLER, AND ABRUPT STOPPAGE TO ENGINE.

## 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 ANC20CA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA051), May 28, 2020: Piper PA18 (N7164B), Sterling, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with trees.

## Other reports on N7164B (2)

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

- [Accident 20000217042069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000217042069A), Feb 17, 2000: Piper PA18150 (N7164B), Willow, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 15th 2000 the pilot of super cub N7164B was attempting to land on the snow covered yenta river 45 miles west of anchorage Alaska. N7164B was…
- [Accident 19800515018249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800515018249A), May 15, 1980: Piper PA18150 (N7164B), Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control during level off for landing in shifting, gusty winds. Nosed up on camp airstrip.

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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