# Accident 20240415014349A: Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, Beluga, AK, April 15, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 15, 2024, 19:54 local time
- Place: Beluga, AK
- Airport: Beluga
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.4500° N, 150.5000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4500&lon=-150.5000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N303T, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N303T) (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: Airline transport
- Pilot flight hours: 12,000 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC24LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA101) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240415014349A

## Narrative

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

ON APRIL 15, 2024, AT 7:54 PM ALASKA TIME PIPER PA-18-105 SPECIAL ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT COORDINATES N61 26.728 W150 31.911 APPROXIMATELY 22 NAUTICAL MILES NE OF BELUGA AIRPORT (PABG). THIS ACCIDENT CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE WING OF THE AIRCRAFT IN FLIGHT DUE TO STRIKING AN OBJECT, A STUMP ON THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 6 FEET TALL, AND POSING IMMINENT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO PERSONS ON THE SURFACE STANDING NEXT TO THE STUMP THAT WAS IMPACTED AND CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL RISK TO PILOT AND PASSENGER IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT.

AFTER STRIKING THE OBJECT, THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT CONTINUED TO LAKE HOOD STRIP (LHD), WHERE THE DAMAGE WAS ASSESSED BY THE PILOT AND NO REPORT WAS MADE TO THE NTSB AT THAT TIME (APRIL 15, 2024). FAA INSPECTORS RECEIVED EVIDENCE IN SEPTEMBER 2024 OF THE SEVERITY OF THE ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT THROUGH RECEIPT OF A VIDEO OF THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT ON APRIL 15, 2024. A REPORT WAS THEN MADE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2024 BY THE ACCIDENT PILOT TO THE NTSB WHO CLASSIFIED IT AS AN ACCIDENT AT THAT TIME.

## 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 ANC24LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA101), Apr 15, 2024: Piper PA-18-105 Special (N303T), Big Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle during takeoff.

## Other reports on N303T (1)

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

- [Incident 20170909017749I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170909017749I), Sep 9, 2017: Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL (N303T), Beluga, AK, No damage. While in cruise at 15OO AGL, engine had sudden, loud failure and siezed, leaking oil over windshield. Pilot landed aircraft in swampy marsh area while on…

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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