# NTSB ANC03LA115: Piper PA-18, N3795Z, Iliamna, AK, September 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 14, 2003, 17:00 local (Sep 15, 2003, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Iliamna, AK - Coordinates: 59.61, -155.880004 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.6100&lon=-155.8800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-ANC FSDO 03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 57940 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC03LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57940/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA115 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff run, which resulted in the airplane nosing over in the water. Factors contributing to the accident were wind gusts, and the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - water - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The airline transport certificated pilot was departing a small lake in a float-equipped airplane to reposition onto a larger lake in the area. He said that as he applied takeoff power, the left wing was immediately lifted by gusty winds. He applied left aileron, but the airplane continued to roll to the right. The right wing contacted the water and the airplane either nosed, or rolled, over. The pilot indicated that gusty wind conditions from the north may have been affected by a hill adjacent to the lake. The pilot said that prior to takeoff from the remote lake, he utilized a satellite phone to obtain weather information for his planned destination, and also for the area of departure. The pilot said he learned that the destination had gusty winds and turbulence. The closest weather reporting station, located 30 miles away, had winds of 13 knots from the north. ## Factual narrative On September 14, 2003, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N3795Z, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over following a loss of control during the takeoff run from a small lake, about 30 miles southwest of Iliamna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The airline transport certificated pilot received minor injuries, and the sole passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 15, the pilot reported that he was departing a small lake to reposition the airplane onto a larger lake in the area. He said that as he applied takeoff power, the left wing was immediately lifted by gusty winds. He applied left aileron, but the airplane continued to roll to the right. The right wing contacted the water, and the airplane either nosed, or rolled, over. The pilot indicated that gusty wind conditions from the north may have been affected by a hill adjacent to the lake. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, the pilot indicated that prior to takeoff from the remote lake, he utilized a satellite phone to obtain weather information for his planned destination, and also for the area of departure. The pilot said he learned that the destination had gusty wind and turbulence. Iliamna, the closest reporting station, had winds of 13 knots from the north. At 1653, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Iliamna was reporting, in part: Wind, 360 degrees (true) at 13 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 55 degrees F; dew point, 19 degrees F; altimeter, 30.23 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3795Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3795Z), registered now, S/N 18-7486, built 1960 (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: 18-7486 - Airframe hours: 7056 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John C. Dieffenderfer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 2003, 36 hours before - Departed: Iliamna, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; flight engineer, airline transport, private, commercial, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 9, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 6,436 total, 61 in this make and model, 2,994 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: PAIL, 30 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 20030914026499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030914026499A), Sep 14, 2003: Piper PA18150, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Mr. Dieffenderfer reported he was departing a small lake to reposition to a larger lake. He stated that as he applied takeoff power, the left wing was… 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.