# NTSB ANC01LA119: Piper PA-18-180, N2871P, Glennallen, AK, August 21, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2001, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Glennallen, AK - Coordinates: 62.158054, -145.461105 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1581&lon=-145.4611&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53220 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53220/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA119 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff. A factor associated with the accident was a variable wind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The certificated commerical pilot, with one passenger aboard, was departing on runway 32. During the initial climb, about four feet above the runway, the wind increased to an estimated 25 to 30 knots from northeast, and pushed the nose of the airplane 90 degrees to the right. The right wing subsequently struck a stand of trees, pivoted the airplane to the right, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. At the time of the accident the wind was reported as 010 degrees at 15 knots, with gusts to 22 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 2001, about 1330 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18-180 airplane, N2871P, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Gulkana Airport, located about 6 miles south of Glennallen, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot, and the one passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the accident airport, and was en route to Northway, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 21, the pilot reported that just after takeoff on runway 32, about four feet above the runway, the wind increased to an estimated 25 to 30 knots from the northeast, which pushed the nose of the airplane 90 degrees to the right. The airplane veered to the right of the runway centerline, and the right wing struck a stand of trees. The airplane pivoted to the right, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Gulkana Airport weather observation at the time of the accident was: Wind, 010 degrees at 15 knots, gusts to 22 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, 1,000 feet scattered, 1,600 feet broken; temperature, 69 degrees F; dew point, 44 degrees F; altimeter, 29.51 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2871P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2871P), registered now, S/N 18-4461, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4461 - Airframe hours: 6303 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eugenie M. Bryant - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 2000, 430 hours before - Departed: GKN, Glennallen, AK - Destination: ORT, Northway, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: GKN, Gulkana, runway 32, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 24, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 5,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 15 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 16,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.51 inHg - Observed at: PAGK ## 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 20010821038589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010821038589A), Aug 21, 2001: Piper PA18180, Gulkana, AK, No damage. (-23) Aircraft crashed on take-off from Gulkana Airport. Upon lift-off, aircraft veered to the right in strong winds and crashed into trees resulting in… 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.