# Accident 20230519007809A: Piper PA-18-150, Palmer, AK, May 19, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 19, 2023, 18:00 local time
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Airport: Palmer
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.4438° N, 148.7007° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4438&lon=-148.7007&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4231Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC23LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA037) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230519007809A

## Narrative

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

PILOT STATED HE ELECTED TO TAKE OFF FROM A GRAVEL BAR DUE TO EXTREME WINDS AND BLOWING DUST BECAUSE HE WAS BECOMING VERY CONCERNED THAT THE HIGH WINDS WOULD DESTROY HIS AIRPLANE. PILOT STATED HE THOUGHT ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME AND STATED THAT HE IS NORMALLY A VERY CAUTIOUS DECISION MAKER. PILOT ELECTED TO TAKE OFF; TRIED TO BACK TAXI BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO DUE TO THE WIND. PILOT DEPARTED AND BECAME AIRBORNE BEFORE THE CONTROLS HAD AUTHORITY AND WAS UNABLE TO RIGHT THE AIRCRAFT WHEN THE WIND FLIPPED IT OVER ONTO ITS BACK. PILOT STATED HE BELIEVES ROOT CAUSE WAS HIS DECISION TO DEPART, RATHER THAN TO WEATHER THE STORM IN PLACE; COMBINED WITH THE LACK OF NECESSARY SPEED AT ROTATION MAKING THE AIRCRAFT UNCONTROLLABLE IN FLIGHT. PILOT STATED HE IS ATP RATED AND HAS A GOOD DEAL OF TAILWHEEL TIME AND TIME IN ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT.

PILOT COUNSELED ON MANY FACTORS INCLUDING SECURING AN AIRCRAFT IN HIGH WINDS, USE OF SPOILER WING COVERS, AND TAKEOFF REQUIREMENTS IN HIGH WINDS.

## 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 ANC23LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA037), May 20, 2023: Piper PA-18-150 (N4231Z), Hunter Creek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff roll in gusting wind conditions.

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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