# NTSB ANC11CA086: Piper PA-18-150, N8491Y, Beluga Lake, AK, August 25, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 24, 2011, 19:10 local (Aug 25, 2011, 03:10 UTC) - Place: Beluga Lake, AK - Coordinates: 61.271945, -151.770278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2719&lon=-151.7703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81599 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81599/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81599 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA086 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to takeoff with an unfavorable wind which resulted in a loss of directional control, and collision with terrain. ## 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-18-150, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 98 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during takeoff, a gust of wind lifted the airplane's left wing and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot said there were no mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the accident could have been avoided had he waited for more favorable wind conditions. ## Factual narrative The pilot lost control of the airplane shortly after liftoff, when a gust of wind lifted the left wing and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot said there were no mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the accident could have been avoided had he waited for more favorable wind conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8491Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8491Y), registered now, S/N 18-8880, built 1970 (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: 18-8880 - Airframe hours: 4615 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William M. Toney, II - Registered owner: Toney William M - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 2011, 15 hours before - Departed: Beluga Lake, AK - Destination: AA06, Anchorage, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; military, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 9, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 11,300 total, 185 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 193 in the last 90 days, 66 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 50 °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 20110824021599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110824021599A), Aug 24, 2011: Piper PA-18-150, Beluga, AK, Minor damage. The pilot flew to the area and was hunting for approximately three hours prior to departing for anchorage. He took off to the south with a quartering headwind.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 1, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81599. 564 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 564 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353434&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.