# NTSB ANC00LA130: Piper PA-18, N7099Y, Wasilla, AK, September 27, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 26, 2000, 16:45 local (Sep 27, 2000, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Wasilla, AK - Coordinates: 61.52069, -149.569305 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5207&lon=-149.5693&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): 50997 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50997/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA130 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. A factor associated with the accident was the presence of tall brush alongside the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot said that he normally sets 10 degrees of flaps prior to takeoff. He stated that he applied full power, and then noticed he had not deployed the flaps. He indicated he removed his left hand from the throttle and reached down with his left hand for the flap handle. The right wing contacted brush along the narrow airstrip, and the airplane swerved to the right, into trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, and the fuselage. The pilot stated he lives nearby, and normally operates from this airstrip. ## Factual narrative On September 26, 2000, at 1645 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18 tundra tire equipped airplane, N7099Y, sustained substantial damage when it struck brush and trees during takeoff from an airstrip between Seymour Lake, and Visnaw Lake, in Wasilla, Alaska. The private pilot and sole passenger on board were not injured. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and was departing for Lake Clark Pass, Alaska for a hunting trip. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge during a telephone interview on September 28, that he normally selects 10 degrees of flaps prior to takeoff. He stated that he applied full power, and then noticed he had not deployed the flaps. He indicated he removed his left hand from the throttle and reached down with his left hand for the flap handle. The right wing contacted brush along the narrow airstrip, and the airplane swerved right, into trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, and the fuselage. The pilot stated he lives nearby, and normally operates from this airstrip. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7099Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7099Y), registered now, S/N 18-8135 (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: 18-8135 - Airframe hours: 3441 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gene Chambers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 2000, 103 hours before - Destination: LAKE CLARK PASS, AK - Airport: Seymour Lake Airstrip, runway 36, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,700 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,550 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F - Observed at: IYS, 5 nm away ## 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 20000927041909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000927041909A), Sep 27, 2000: Piper PA18150, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) After adding full power for take-off, the pilot realized he had forgotten to deploy the flaps. Upon reaching for the flap lever handle the pilot… ## Other investigations on N7099Y (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 ANC98LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA126), Aug 19, 1998: Piper PA-18-150 (N7099Y), Cordova, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. A factor associated with the accident was grass covered rocks. 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.