# NTSB ANC13CA006: Piper PA-18-125, N3360P, Cordova, AK, October 20, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 20, 2012, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Cordova, AK - Coordinates: 61.24139, -147.044448 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2414&lon=-147.0444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85443/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85443 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA006 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101812), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=7101812), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/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 visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=7101812), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-125, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101812), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing from a tidal beach in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. During the takeoff roll, the pilot stated that he lost visual reference through the windscreen because the sun was in his eyes and that he allowed the right wingtip to contact some alder brush, which forced the airplane to ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was departing from a tidal beach in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. During the takeoff roll, the pilot stated that he lost visual reference through the windscreen because the sun was in his eyes, and he allowed the right wingtip to contact some alder brush, which forced the airplane to ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, and the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3360P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3360P), registered now, S/N 18-391, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-125 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-391 - Airframe hours: 7360 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 2012 - Departed: Cordova, AK - Destination: AK19, Talkeetna, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 11, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 5,608 total, 442 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: PACV, 27 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 20121020023449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121020023449A), Oct 20, 2012: Piper PA-18-125, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot lined up with the small dirt strip, on roll out the sun blocked some of the visibility through the windscreen. At 400 feet down the strip the right… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85443. 624 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 624 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380285&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.