# NTSB ANC05CA084: Piper PA-18, N5408Y, Pamler, AK, June 11, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 11, 2005, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Pamler, AK - Coordinates: 61.616664, -149.03334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6167&lon=-149.0333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 61687 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC05CA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61687/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA084 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to obtain/maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. Factors associated with the accident are a tailwind and diminished braking capability. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) operating - brakes(normal) - diminished, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - downhill - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - airspeed(vs) - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that he had recently removed the airplane's skis and reinstalled tundra tires. After adding hydraulic fluid to the airplane's brake system, he boarded the airplane, locked the airplane's brakes, and started the engine. He noted that prior to the accident, he had no intention of flying. While momentarily looking down at the instrument panel, he realized that the airplane was moving downhill on the taxiway. Unable to stop the airplane, he elected to apply full engine power in an attempt to fly. The airplane initially became airborne, but settled into a stand of small birch trees at the end of the taxiway. The pilot said that a quartering tailwind contributed to the accident. The airplane received structural damage to both wings and the fuselage. According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report submitted by the pilot, there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane. However, he noted, in part, in the safety recommendation section of the NTSB report: "Bleed brakes after every ski/wheel changeover." ## Factual narrative On June 11, 2005, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N5408Y, sustained structural damage as a result of an in-flight collision with trees during takeoff from a private airstrip, located about 3 miles northeast of Palmer, 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 student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated about 1530, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on June 13, the pilot reported that he had recently removed the airplane's skis and reinstalled tundra tires. He said that after adding hydraulic fluid to the airplane's brake system, he boarded the airplane, locked the airplane's brakes, and started the engine. He noted that at that time he had no intention of flying. The pilot reported that he momentarily looked down at the instrument panel, and suddenly noted that the airplane was moving downhill on the taxiway. He said that he was unable to stop the airplane so he elected to apply full engine power in an attempt to fly. The airplane initially became airborne, but settled into a stand of small birch trees at the end of the taxiway. The pilot added that a quartering tailwind contributed to the accident. The airplane received structural damage to both wings and the fuselage. According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane. However, the pilot noted, in part, in the safety recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented?) section of the NTSB report, "Bleed brakes after every ski/wheel changeover." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5408Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5408Y), registered now, S/N 18-8171, built 1964 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-8171 - Airframe hours: 3922 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles & Heather Lee - Registered owner: Charles S. Lee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2005, 1 hours before - Departed: Pamler, AK - Destination: Pamler, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 48; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 123 total, 115 in this make and model, 66 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20050611011159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050611011159A), Jun 11, 2005: Piper PA18150, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot stated that he started the engine in the hangar to check the brakes with no intentions of flight. He was looking at the instrument panel,… ## Other investigations on N5408Y (7) 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 GAA19CA564](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA564), Sep 23, 2019: Piper PA18 (N5408Y), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to depart from an off-airport surface covered with standing water, which resulted in a noseover. - [NTSB GAA16CA440](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA440), Aug 19, 2016: Piper PA 18-150 (N5408Y), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive brake application during the landing roll resulting in a nose over. - [NTSB ANC08LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA075), Jun 22, 2008: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll and liftoff, which resulted in a collision with trees and the ground. - [NTSB ANC02LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA027), Mar 28, 2002: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Chickaloon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate supervision of the student pilot by the instructor. Factors associated with the accident are the snow-covered runway and the loss of directional control by the student pilot. - [NTSB ANC84LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA102), Jun 24, 1984: Piper PA-18-180 (N5408Y), Bear Creek, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC74DAG66](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAG66), Oct 1, 1973: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Nondalton, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC68F0023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68F0023), Mar 6, 1967: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Mcgrath, AK, 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.