- Date
- November 29, 2007, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place
- Seward, AK
- NTSB coordinates
- 60.0856, -174.2967, outside the stated state
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N1181YPiper PA-18-135
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 28, 2008
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- FAA report
- 20071129828409A
- Case key
- 67203
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
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.
Analysis
The private certificated pilot was taking off from a narrow, off-airport site under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The pilot said he used too much rudder during takeoff, and the right wing caught in high alder brush next to the takeoff area. He said the airplane veered to the right, into the alders and small spruce trees. According to the pilot, there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident, and that the airplane sustained damage to the left wing leading edge, tip, and spar, and damage to the right wing leading edge. The left landing gear and propeller were also damaged.
Factual narrative
The private certificated pilot was taking off from a narrow, off-airport site under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The pilot said he used too much rudder during takeoff, and the right wing caught in high alder brush next to the takeoff area. He said the airplane veered to the right, into the alders and small spruce trees. According to the pilot, there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident, and that the airplane sustained damage to the left wing leading edge, tip, and spar, and damage to the right wing leading edge. The left landing gear and propeller were also damaged.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N1181Y
- Reported as
- Piper PA-18-135
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18-2144
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-B2B, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Mark G. Meehleis
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 1, 2007
- Departed
- Seward, AK
- Destination
- 9AK5 · Anchorage, AK
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
- 60
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- March 1, 2006
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 2,640 total · 2,555 in this make and model · 5 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 1,000 ft overcast
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N1181Y · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.