# NTSB ANC07CA074: Piper PA-18, N39302, King Salmon, AK, August 7, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 6, 2007, 16:45 local (Aug 7, 2007, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: King Salmon, AK
- Coordinates: 58.666667, -156.633331
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.6667&lon=-156.6333&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 20, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Anchorage FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC07CA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66389/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA074

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of control, and an on-ground encounter with terrain.  A factor in 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 encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The commercial certificated pilot was departing from an off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane in a left crosswind during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight.  The pilot reported that during the northwesterly takeoff roll, the airplane's left wing lifted and the right wing struck the ground, which pivoted the airplane to the right.  The airplane sustained structural damage to the right wing and empennage.  The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The commercial certificated pilot was departing from an off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane in a left crosswind during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight.  The pilot reported that during the northwesterly takeoff roll, the airplane's left wing lifted and the right wing struck the ground, which pivoted the airplane to the right.  The airplane sustained structural damage to the right wing and empennage.  The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.  The pilot did not complete the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) as requested.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N39302 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7777
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William H. Woodin
- Registered owner: William H. Woodin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: King Salmon, AK
- Destination: AKN, King Salmon, AK
- Airport: runway 270

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 6,000 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 18 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: EII, 20 nm away

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.

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