# NTSB ANC00LA078: Piper PA-18, N2413P, Kotzebue, AK, June 24, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 24, 2000, 10:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Kotzebue, AK - Coordinates: 67.239723, -161.190628 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2397&lon=-161.1906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 49533 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49533/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA078 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The private pilot was departing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. He reported that when he applied full power to begin the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left, departed the runway, and nosed over. The airplane received damage to the wings, fuselage, and the vertical stabilizer. The only mechanical problem the pilot noted was dirty thrust washers installed on the tailwheel assembly. ## Factual narrative On June 24, 2000, about 1010 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N2413P, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, Kotzebue, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on June 24, the pilot reported he was departing on runway 08. He applied full power to begin the takeoff roll. The airplane veered to the left, ran off the left side of the runway, and nosed over. The pilot said the left main wheel brake assembly may have locked. He commented that he had flown the airplane numerous times in the past few days without any mechanical problems. The airplane received damage to both wings, fuselage, and the vertical stabilizer. On August 21, 2000, the pilot telephoned the NTSB IIC, and reported that he was unable to find a mechanical problem with the left main wheel brake assembly. The only mechanical problem appeared to be the tailwheel assembly thrust washers were dirty. At 1016, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Kotzebue was reporting, in part: Wind, 172 degrees (magnetic) at 8 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, 12,000 feet scattered, 20,000 feet broken; temperature, 53 degrees F; dew point, 39 degrees F; altimeter, 30.02 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2413P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2413P-2015-01-26), registration cancelled 2015-01-26, S/N 18-8009055, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-8009055 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edwin R. Meier - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 2000, 10 hours before - Airport: PAOT, Ralph Wien Memorial, runway 8, 5,900 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 496 total, 215 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 172° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PAO ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000624006789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000624006789A), Jun 24, 2000: Piper PA18150, Kotzebue, AK, No damage. (-23) During takeoff at approximately 30MPH the left wheel locked up. The pilot tried to keep the aircraft on the runway and get it stopped. The aircraft went… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.