# NTSB ANC00LA127: Piper PA-18, N81648, Galena, AK, September 20, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 2000, 17:30 local (Sep 20, 2000, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Galena, AK - Coordinates: 64.739677, -156.849884 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7397&lon=-156.8499&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 50995 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50995/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA127 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Factors were the crosswind, and a snow-covered ridge. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis The pilot said that during takeoff from a snow-covered ridge, a gusty crosswind from the right pushed the airplane off the ridge. He stated that the airplane cartwheeled and broke in half. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and tail assembly. ## Factual narrative On September 19, 2000, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N81648, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during takeoff from an off airport ridgetop, about 22 miles northeast of Galena, Alaska, at 64 degrees, 52 minutes north latitude, 156 degrees, 06 minutes west longitude. The commercial pilot and the one passenger on board received no injuries. The hunter-guide business flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and was departing the ridge for Galena. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a company VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) during a telephone interview on September 20, and in his NTSB pilot/operator report, that during takeoff from a snow-covered ridge, a gusty crosswind from the right pushed the airplane off the ridge. He stated that the airplane cartwheeled and broke in half. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and tail assembly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81648](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81648-2014-11-21), registration cancelled 2014-11-21, S/N 18-6452, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-6452 - Airframe hours: 4278 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kurt M. Lepping - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 2000 - Destination: GAL, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 9,000 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 275 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F ## 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 20000919014659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000919014659A), Sep 19, 2000: Piper PA18A150, Galena, AK, No damage. (-23) Pilot lost control during a takeoff from a mountain ridge covered with 2" of snow and a crosswind estimate of 20 knots. ## Other investigations on N81648 (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 ANC94LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA008), Oct 4, 1993: Piper PA-18 (N81648), Port Heiden, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION. A FACTOR WAS RISING TERRAIN. 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.