# NTSB ANC12CA037: Piper PA-18-150, N999JV, Gakona, AK, May 10, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 9, 2012, 18:15 local (May 10, 2012, 02:15 UTC) - Place: Gakona, AK - Coordinates: 62.191944, -144.866394 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1919&lon=-144.8664&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration – Operations - NTSB case key (mKey): 83607 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83607/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83607 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA037 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to take off in variable wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and the airplane striking an object after takeoff. ## 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) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/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 The pilot departed from a remote, 800-foot-long, gravel-covered airstrip in variable wind conditions. He said that during the takeoff roll, just before liftoff, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right. As the airplane became airborne, the pilot felt a "bump," but he noted no control or vibration problems. After an uneventful landing at his destination airport, an examination revealed substantial damage to the lower portion of the airplane's rudder. Further examination revealed that the tailwheel likely hit something during takeoff. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot was departing from a remote, 800-foot long gravel-covered airstrip, in variable wind conditions. He said that during his southerly takeoff roll, just before liftoff, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right. As the airplane became airborne, he felt a "bump" but he noted no control or vibration problems. After an uneventful landing at his destination airport, an inspection revealed substantial damage to the lower portion of the airplane's rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N999JV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N999JV), registered now, S/N 1809005, built 1989 (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: 1809005 - Airframe hours: 534 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James W. Watson - Registered owner: James W. Watson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 2011 - Departed: Gakona, AK - Destination: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 12,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.48 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 20120509008829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120509008829A), May 9, 2012: Piper PA-18-150, Chelle Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Upon takeoff, pilot heard a thump. After landing at intended destination, pilot found rudder damage. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83607. 5.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372802&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.