# NTSB ANC01LA142: Piper PA-18, N7477L, Port Heiden, AK, September 20, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 2001, 17:00 local (Sep 20, 2001, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Heiden, AK
- Coordinates: 56.908332, -158.683334
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9083&lon=-158.6833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA-AL-ANC FSDO 03
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53492/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA142

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind conditions.  A factor in the accident was the presence of a tailwind.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The private certificated pilot was departing a small lake in a float-equipped airplane.  The pilot said he operated from the lake numerous times, and landed on the lake about 45 minutes before the accident to pick up cargo for his fishing camp.  The pilot said that when he landed, the wind was from the west, and when he began to taxi on the lake for departure, the wind was calm.  The pilot began the takeoff run toward the west, and he said the airplane came up on step.  He said his ground speed seemed fast, but the airspeed was low.  He said the airplane became airborne near the edge of the lake shore, but the tail portion of the float assembly struck a six inch high berm at the edge of the lake.  The airplane came to rest on a road located along the shoreline of the lake.  The airplane received damage to the float assemblies, the propeller, and the tail.  Following the accident, the pilot said that witnesses told him that as he taxied onto the lake for departure, the wind began to blow from the southeast about 15 knots.

## Factual narrative

On September 19, 2001, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N7477L, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote lake, about 4 miles south of Port Heiden, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country business flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The airplane was operated by Wind River Camps, Anchorage, Alaska.  The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 20th, the pilot reported he was departing a small lake known locally as Gold Fish Lake, near the village of Meshic, Alaska.  He has operated from the lake numerous times, and landed on the lake about 45 minutes before the accident to pick up cargo for his fishing camp.  The pilot said that when he landed, the wind was from the west, and when he began to taxi on the lake for departure, the wind was calm.  The pilot began the takeoff run toward the west, and he said the airplane came up on step.  He said his ground speed seemed fast, but the airspeed was low.  He said the airplane became airborne near the edge of the lake shore, but the tail portion of the float assembly struck a six inch high berm at the edge of the lake.  The airplane came to rest on a road located along the shoreline of the lake.  The airplane received damage to the float assemblies, the propeller, and the tail.  Following the accident, the pilot said that witnesses told him that as he taxied onto the lake for departure, the wind began to blow from the southeast about 15 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7477L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7477L), registered now, S/N 18-7509060 (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: 18-7509060
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Wind River Camps
- Registered owner: Garl E. Sharpe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 2001, 30 hours before
- Departed: PORT HEIDEN, AK
- Destination: UNGASHIK RIVER, AK
- Airport: Gold Fish Lake, runway 27, 2,000 × 200 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 22, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 2,900 total, 2,850 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 20010919039559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010919039559A), Sep 19, 2001: Piper PA18150, Port Heiden, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC initiated a downwind takeoff on a lake and contacted the bank on lift off coming to rest on top of the bank of the lake. Substantial damage to the…

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.

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