# NTSB ANC06CA115: Piper PA-18, N8597D, Tok, AK, August 16, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 16, 2006, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Tok, AK - Coordinates: 63.914443, -143.51416 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.9144&lon=-143.5142&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 64343 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64343/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA115 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to compensate for the wind conditions during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a collision with a tree. A factor contributing to the accident was a crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot reported that he was departing a remote mountain ridge on a Title 14, CFR Part 135 cross-country air taxi flight. The takeoff area was about 500 feet long, and about 15 feet wide. The pilot said he departed downhill with a 10 mph quartering tailwind. About 250 feet from the starting point, the pilot said that the crosswind pushed the airplane to the right, and the right wing collided with a tree. The airplane veered to the right, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane received structural damage to the right wing. ## Factual narrative The commercial certificated pilot reported that he was departing a remote mountain ridge on a Title 14, CFR Part 135 cross-country air taxi flight. The takeoff area was about 500 feet long, and about 15 feet wide. The pilot said he departed downhill with a 10 mph quartering tailwind. About 250 feet from the starting point, the pilot said that the crosswind pushed the airplane to the right, and the right wing collided with a tree. The airplane veered to the right, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane received structural damage to the right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8597D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8597D), registered now, S/N 18-6248, built 1957 (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: 18-6248 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Forty Mile Air Ltd. - Registered owner: RWR Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Tok, AK - Destination: PATJ, Tok, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 2,355 total, 223 in this make and model, 92 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - 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 20060816017959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060816017959A), Aug 16, 2006: Piper PA18150, Tok, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman stated that on liftoff from a remote ridge line a 10 knot left crosswind caused him to drift to the right and the right wing struck a tree… ## Other investigations on N8597D (4) 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 ANC04LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA096), Aug 26, 2004: Piper PA-18 (N8597D), Paxson, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a collision with a rock and subsequent main landing gear collapse during the landing roll. A factor contributing to the… - [NTSB ANC03CA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03CA110), Sep 7, 2003: Piper PA-18-180 (N8597D), Eagle, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area, and his excessive use of the airplane's brakes during the landing roll, resulting in a nose over. A factor associated with the accident was rough… - [NTSB ANC94LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA129), Sep 2, 1994: Piper PA-18 (N8597D), Tok, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE WORN CAM SHAFT LOBE AND WORN VALVE LIFTER. - [NTSB ANC86LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA072), Jun 12, 1986: Piper PA-18 (N8597D), Fairbanks, 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.