Piper PA-18-150 N5057Y accident, Gulkana, AK, Feb 13, 2007 · NTSB ANC07LA020

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason during takeoff, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and collision with trees.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerTakeoff - roll/run

Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause

On ground/water collision with objectTakeoff - aborted

Object - tree(s)

Terrain condition - snow covered

Analysis

The pilot of the ski-equipped airplane was taking off on a snow-covered lake for a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The pilot said during takeoff he felt the airplane was not accelerating fast enough to climb over the trees at the end of the takeoff area. He closed the throttle to abort the takeoff, and the airplane slid into the trees. He said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane during earlier flights that day, but he felt the engine may not have been producing full power during the accident takeoff. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings and fuselage. The airplane was not examined by the NTSB, and the pilot did not provide additional information regarding what may have precipitated the loss of engine power.

Factual narrative

On February 13, 2007, about 1530 Alaska standard time, a ski-equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N5057Y, sustained substantial damage during a collision with trees, following a partial loss of engine power and an aborted takeoff, about 41 miles northeast of Gulkana, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal local flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private certificated pilot and sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on February 16, the pilot stated he was taking off on a snow-covered lake when he felt the airplane was not accelerating fast enough to climb over the trees at the end of the takeoff area. He said he closed the throttle, and aborted the takeoff. The pilot said the airplane slid into the trees. He said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane during earlier flights that day, but he felt the engine may not have been producing full power during the accident takeoff. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings and fuselage.

The airplane was not examined by the NTSB, and the pilot did not provide additional information regarding what may have precipitated the loss of engine power.

Aircraft

Registration: N5057Y
Reported as: Piper PA-18-150
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 18-7890
Engine: Lycoming O-320, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Operator: Richard A. Kinmon
Registered owner: Richard Kinmon
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Last inspection: Annual · May 1, 2006
Departed: Gulkana, AK

N5057YRegistered now · Piper PA-18-150S/N 18-7890 · Built 1962 Airframe modelPiper PA-18-150 Engine modelLycoming 0-320 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 55
Injuries: None
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Flight hours: 600 total · 250 in this make and model · 560 as pilot in command · 50 in the last 90 days · 30 in the last 30 days · 10 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 0 knots
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: 16 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 20070213002189APiper PA18150 · Glennallen, AK(-23) Pilot was departing grizzly lake, about 60 miles nw of Glennallen, AK, in his ski-equipped PA-18. The weather was clear skies and light and variable winds. The lake was the pilot's home base. He was very familiar with the performance requirements to…Feb 13, 2007 · N5057Y · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N5057Y · 2

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB ANC19LA053Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportChugiak, AKOne of the pilot’s inadvertent application of the airplane's brakes, which resulted in a nose over.Sep 5, 2019 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC05LA009Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChickaloon, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a collision with terrrain during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident were a rough/rutted and snow-covered airstrip surface, and an inadvertent ground…Oct 17, 2004 · Substantial damage