# NTSB ANC13CA104: Piper PA 18-150, N7190D, Delta Junction, AK, September 19, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 18, 2013, 17:00 local (Sep 19, 2013, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Delta Junction, AK - Coordinates: 64.561668, -145.776672 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.5617&lon=-145.7767&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 88092 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88092/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88092 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA104 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate takeoff planning and judgment that did not consider the reduced acceleration due to snow-covered terrain, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected 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-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 83 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff from a snow-covered mountain ridgeline, the airplane did not attain sufficient airspeed to takeoff before reaching the end of the site, so he aborted the takeoff. During the aborted takeoff, the airplane rolled to the end of the site and impacted an area of rough and uneven terrain, and eventually came to rest on the forward fuselage. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff from a snow-covered mountain ridgeline, the airplane did not attain sufficient airspeed to takeoff before reaching the end of the site, so he aborted the takeoff. During the aborted takeoff, the airplane rolled to the end of the site and impacted an area of rough and uneven terrain, and eventually came to rest on the forward fuselage. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7190D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7190D), registered now, S/N 18-5657, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18-150 (A150) - 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: 18-5657 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 8816 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ward Art W - Registered owner: Ward Art W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 2013 - Departed: Delta Junction, AK - Destination: Salcha, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 8, 2013; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 9,057 total, 8,455 in this make and model, 9,017 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 36 °F - Observed at: PABI, 30 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 20130918019029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130918019029A), Sep 18, 2013: Piper PA-18-150, Salcha, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to take off from a short mountain ridge area covered in light snow and did not become airborne at the end of the usable surface causing the… ## Other investigations on N7190D (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 DEN74DTC38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74DTC38), Jun 13, 1974: Piper PA-18 (N7190D), Laramie, WY, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 20, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88092. 647 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 647 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402181&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.