# NTSB ANC09CA014: Piper PA-18-150, N4131Z, Willow, AK, December 20, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 20, 2008, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Willow, AK - Coordinates: 61.55722, -150.856384 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5572&lon=-150.8564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage - NTSB case key (mKey): 73128 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73128/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA014 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during takeoff, which prevented the airplane from reaching takeoff airspeed, resulting in an aborted takeoff, and an on-ground collision with a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airline transport pilot was taking off from a snow-covered private airstrip in a tailwheel and ski-equipped airplane for a personal cross-country flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a written statement dated January 5, 2009, the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane's engine appeared to hesitate and possibly lose power. He said that he aborted the takeoff, but due to rough terrain he was unable to get the tail of the airplane back on the ground quickly to slow the airplane. When the airplane's tail did come down, the fuselage struck a low tree, resulting in substantial damage to the tail section. ## Factual narrative The airline transport pilot was taking off from a snow-covered private airstrip in a tailwheel and ski-equipped airplane for a personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. In a written statement dated January 5, 2009, the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane's engine appeared to hesitate, and possibly lose power. He said he aborted the takeoff, but due to rough terrain he was unable to get the tail of the airplane back on the ground quickly to slow the airplane. When the airplane's tail did come down, the fuselage struck a low tree, resulting in substantial damage to the tail section. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on December 21, 2008, the pilot did not mention any engine issue. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4131Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4131Z), registered now, S/N 18-8201, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150 - 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: 18-8201 - Airframe hours: 4489 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Macarthur Clinton W - Registered owner: Macarthur Clinton W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 2008 - Departed: Willow, AK - Destination: LHD, Anchorage, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 22, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 10,128 total, 321 in this make and model, 7,582 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg ## 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 20081220857449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081220857449A), Dec 20, 2008: Piper PA18, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. According to a statement provided by the airman a takeoff was attempted with a ski equipped aircraft from a 900 foot snow covered strip located 30 miles… 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.