# Accident 20240915014709A: Piper PA-18-150, Fairbanks, AK, September 15, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 15, 2024, 12:00 local time
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 64.7636° N, 147.7588° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7636&lon=-147.7588&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4242Z, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4242Z) (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: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 29,500 total, 150 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC24LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA098) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240915014709A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS DEPARTING A GRASS STRIP THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY 500-600 FEET LONG WITH ONE PASSENGER ON BOARD. AFTER DEPARTURE THE MAIN LANDING GEAR CLIPPED A TREE SLOWING THE AIRCRAFTS SPEED ENOUGH TO CAUSE A STALL. THE LEFT WING CAME DOWN AND STRUCK A TREE RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. NO INJURIES. PILOT STATED THE AIRCRAFT MAY HAVE BEEN AFT LOADED SLIGHTLY. DURING THE INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT FLIGHT REVIEW OR CURRENT AIRCRAFT ANNUAL INSPECTION COMPLETED.

## 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 ANC24LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA098), Sep 15, 2024: Piper PA-18-150 (N4242Z), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain a rate of climb sufficient to clear obstacles during takeoff, resulting in a collision with obstacles and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.

## Other reports on N4242Z (2)

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

- [Accident 19970927029129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970927029129A), Sep 27, 1997: N4242Z, Stueben County, NY, Substantial damage. Landed on a private grass strip and flipped over. Other circumstances are unknown.
- [Accident 19850125002789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850125002789A), Jan 25, 1985: Piper PA18150 (N4242Z), Minto, AK, Substantial damage. Ski broke thru snow crust on takeoff roll and flipped over. Early liftoff due to rough surface. No medical biennial

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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