# NTSB ANC05CA050: Piper PA-18, N3996Z, False Pass, AK, March 19, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 19, 2005, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: False Pass, AK - Coordinates: 54.838333, -163.866668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=54.8383&lon=-163.8667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-ANC FSDO 03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 61182 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC05CA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61182/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA050 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in a collision with the ground and subsequent nose over. Factors contributing to the accident were a downdraft, and the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - tundra - Nose over, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was departing from an open area of tundra, which was about 800 feet long by 600 feet wide. He said the wind was from the southeast about 10 to 15 knots, and he began a takeoff toward the southeast. The pilot said that just after liftoff, a few feet in the air, the airplane encountered a downdraft. The left wing struck the ground, and the airplane collided with the ground and nosed over. The airplane received damage to both wings, the fuselage, empennage, and propeller. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 2005, about 1200 Alaska standard time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N3996Z, sustained substantial damage when it collided with the ground and nosed over during takeoff/initial climb from a remote area, about 16 miles west-southwest of False Pass, 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, and the sole passenger, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was intended to return to False Pass Airport, and 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 March 21, the pilot reported that he previously landed on an open area of tundra, which was about 800 feet long by 600 feet wide. He said the wind was from the southeast about 10 to 15 knots, and he began a takeoff toward the southeast. The pilot said that just after liftoff, a few feet in the air, the airplane encountered a downdraft. The left wing struck the ground, and the airplane then collided with the ground and nosed over. The airplane received damage to both wings, the fuselage, empennage, and propeller. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3996Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3996Z), registered now, S/N 18-7945, built 1963 (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: 18-7945 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John J. Nickels II - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: False Pass, AK - Destination: KFP ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 670 total, 502 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - 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 20050319006469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050319006469A), Mar 19, 2005: Piper PA18150, False Pass, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) During lift off, the pilot experienced a microburst; forcing the aircraft back to the ground, causing the left wheel to contact the ground, then lifted… ## Other investigations on N3996Z (3) 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 ANC93LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA178), Sep 13, 1993: Piper PA-18-150 (N3996Z), Prudhoe Bay, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: FLUID FUEL CONTAMINATION AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMANDS IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION. - [NTSB FTW71FRA24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71FRA24), Oct 25, 1970: Piper PA-18 (N3996Z), Conroe, TX, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK65X1302](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1302), Jan 17, 1965: Piper PA18 (N3996Z), Del Rio, TX, substantial damage 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.