# NTSB ANC08CA128: Piper PA-18, N2265A, Fairbanks, AK, September 18, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 18, 2008, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.169441, -147.778335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.1694&lon=-147.7783&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69177 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08CA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69177/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. A Factor contributing to the accident was a short, rough and uneven takeoff site. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was departing from a 500 foot-long, rough and uneven off-airport site. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB he stated, in part: "During takeoff from the remote airstrip, [the] aircraft failed to reach flying speed." The pilot indicated that the airplane initially lifted off at the end of the strip, then it mushed into an area of brush-covered terrain at the end of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was departing from a 500 foot-long, rough and uneven off-airport site. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB he stated, in part: "During takeoff from the remote airstrip, [the] aircraft failed to reach flying speed." The pilot indicated that the airplane initially lifted off at the end of the strip, then it mushed into an area of brush-covered terrain at the end of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2265A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2265A), registered now, S/N 18-1888, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1888 - Airframe hours: 8601.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Martin T. Anzelini - Registered owner: Martin T. Anzelini - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 2008, 9.6 hours before - Departed: Fairbanks, AK - Destination: Fairbanks, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 10, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 416 total, 415 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °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 20080918848859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080918848859A), Sep 18, 2008: Piper PA18135, Japan Hills, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) This aircraft is equipped with large "tundra tires". The airman attempted to takeoff from a very rough, off airport strip estimated to be 500' long, at… ## Other investigations on N2265A (2) 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 ANC76DAH81](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH81), Sep 17, 1976: Piper PA-18 (N2265A), Eagle River, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC75DAG36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC75DAG36), Sep 7, 1974: Piper PA-18 (N2265A), Iliamna, 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.