# NTSB ANC03LA118: Piper PA-18, N18PX, Sparrevohn, AK, September 17, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 17, 2003, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Sparrevohn, AK - Coordinates: 61.809513, -161.440368 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8095&lon=-161.4404&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - 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): 57960 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC03LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57960/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA118 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in a collision with terrain during takeoff/initial climb. Factors contributing to the accident were mountainous/hilly terrain, the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind conditions, and an unfavorable 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 - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was departing a ridgeline airstrip near a hunting camp. He said he planned to depart northbound, slightly uphill, toward the top of the ridge. The takeoff area was tundra covered, about 900 feet long, and over 1,000 feet wide. The camp was equipped with a windsock, indicating a wind from the north about 25 knots. The pilot reported that just after liftoff, he cleared the top of the ridge, and the airplane's left wing was lifted by the wind. He attempted to counter the resulting right roll with aileron and rudder, but was unable to prevent the airplane from colliding with the ground. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, belly pod, fuselage, and left wing. ## Factual narrative On September 17, 2003, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N18PX, sustained substantial damage when it collided with the ground during takeoff-initial climb from a remote ridgeline airstrip, about 38 miles southwest of Sparrevohn, 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 private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. 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 19, the pilot reported that he previously landed on a ridgeline near a hunting camp, and was departing to look for his own camp. He said he planned to depart northbound, slightly uphill, toward the top of the ridge. The takeoff area was tundra covered, about 900 feet long, and over 1,000 feet wide. The camp was equipped with a windsock, indicating a wind from the north about 25 knots. The pilot reported that just after liftoff, he cleared the top of the ridge, and the airplane's left wing was lifted by the wind. He attempted to counter the resulting right roll with aileron and rudder, but was unable to prevent the airplane from colliding with the ground. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, belly pod, fuselage, and left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18PX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18PX), registered now, S/N 18-7570, built 1961 (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: 187570 - Airframe hours: 4661 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John F. Daily - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2003, 25 hours before - Departed: Sparrevohn, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 31, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 1,995 total, 190 in this make and model, 1,950 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 25 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - 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 20030917026439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030917026439A), Sep 17, 2003: Piper PA18150, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 17, 2003, at about 1430 local time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane sustained substantial damage when it collided with the… ## Other investigations on N18PX (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 ANC00LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA124), Sep 11, 2000: Piper PA-18 (N18PX), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor in the accident was a tree stump not observed by the pilot. 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.