# NTSB ANC13CA078: Piper PA-18-150, N3897Z, McCarthy, AK, August 12, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 11, 2013, 17:00 local (Aug 12, 2013, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: McCarthy, AK
- Coordinates: 62.100605, -145.529693 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1006&lon=-145.5297&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 October 21, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA Anchorage FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87772/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87772
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA078

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff.

## 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)
- [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: 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 stated that during takeoff from a private airstrip, he lost directional control of the airplane, resulting in a ground loop and a nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that during takeoff from a private airstrip, he lost directional control of the airplane, resulting in a ground loop and a nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3897Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3897Z), registered now, S/N 18-7788 (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: 18-7788
- Airframe hours: 1730
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2013
- Departed: NA, McCarthy, AK
- Destination: NA, McCarthy, AK
- Airport: runway 09, 1,800 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 15, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 360 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: PAMX

## 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 20130811017899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130811017899A), Aug 11, 2013: Piper PA-18-150, Mccarthy, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot with one passenger landed on a 6000 foot ridge top on remote forest service land near Mccarthy, Alaska. Upon starting a downhill takeoff roll, pilot lost…

## Other investigations on N3897Z (2)

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 ANC15CA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA039), Jun 13, 2015: Piper PA 18-150 (N3897Z), McCarthy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive use of wheel brakes during landing, resulting in a nose over.
- [NTSB ANC90LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA185), Sep 27, 1990: Piper PA-18 (N3897Z), Kotes Lakes, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S ENCOUNTER WITH TURBULENCE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87772. 494 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 494 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400008&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.

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