# NTSB ANC12CA110: Piper PA-18-150, N3802Z, Port Alsworth, AK, September 21, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 21, 2012, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Port Alsworth, AK - Coordinates: 60.13861, -154.368896 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1386&lon=-154.3689&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 December 19, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 85112 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85112/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85112 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA110 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions from an off-airport site, which resulted in a collision with terrain and a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [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 was departing from a mountain ridgeline in gusting wind conditions. He said that he started the takeoff in what he estimated was a 5- to 10-knot headwind. At liftoff, a gust of wind raised the right wing, and the left wing struck the ground, which pivoted the airplane to the left. The airplane then continued over the ridgeline, traveled downhill, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. There were no reported preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. ## Factual narrative The pilot was departing from a mountain ridgeline, in gusting wind conditions. He said he started the takeoff in what he estimated was a 5-10 knot headwind. At liftoff, a gust of wind raised the right wing and the left wing struck the ground, which pivoted the airplane to the left. The airplane then continued over the ridgeline, downhill, nosing over, and coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. There were no reported mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3802Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3802Z), registered now, S/N 18-7535, built 1960 (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: 18-7535 - Airframe hours: 5373 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Alsworth Anthony R - Registered owner: Alsworth Anthony R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 29, 2011 - Departed: Port Alsworth, AK - Destination: PALJ, Port Alsworth, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 2, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 383 total, 83 in this make and model, 358 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: PALJ, 5 nm away ## 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 20120921020129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120921020129A), Sep 21, 2012: Piper PA-18-150, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was practicing off airport landings on a mountain top during the take off phase. The pilot encountered strong right crosswind. Pilot tried to compensate… ## Other investigations on N3802Z (1) 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 ANC25LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA012), Dec 25, 2024: Piper PA-18-150 (N3802Z), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper airspeed management which resulted in a bounced landing and insufficient airspeed to perform a go around procedure. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85112. 746 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 746 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379640&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.