# Accident 20210513008889A: Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, Palmer, AK, May 13, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 13, 2021, 10:30 local time
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Airport: Mud Strip
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.3180° N, 148.2837° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3180&lon=-148.2837&mi=10
- Aircraft: N154T, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N154T) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL (registry code 7101808, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (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-18-105 SPECIAL
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 6,700 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC21LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA041) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210513008889A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS WELL RESTED, THEY HAD SPENT THE NIGHT AT MUD STRIP. THAT MORNING THEY WALKED THE STRIP TWICE CHECKING ON THE CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY. THE RUNWAY WAS VERY MUDDY. ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL AT APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 MPH THE RIGHT TIRE ENCOUNTER VERY STICKY MUD AND CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO TURN HARD RIGHT WHICH LEAD TO A GROUND LOOP OF THE AIRCRAFT. DAMAGE TO RIGHT WING TIP TO INCLUDE THE AILERON, PROP STRIKE, DAMAGE TO RIGHT ELEVATOR AND HORIZONTAL STAB AND RUDDER. AIRCRAFT HAD SUSTAINED ENOUGH DAMAGE THAT IT WAS NO LONGER AIRWORTHY.  WINGS WERE REMOVED AND THE AIRCRAFT AND WINGS WERE TRANSPORTED TO WOLF LAKE AIRPORT VIA A HELICOPTER. INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT WAS PERFORMED AT WOLF LAKE AIRPORT.

## 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 ANC21LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA041), May 13, 2021: Piper PA-18-105 Special (N154T), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and ground loop.

## Other reports on N154T (1)

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

- [Accident 19820817038779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820817038779A), Aug 17, 1982: Piper PA18150 (N154T), Watertown, SD, Destroyed. Entered a high speed stall in a steep turn at 50 feet AGL. Aircraft rolled inverted and crashed. High humidity.

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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