- Date
- March 8, 2014, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place
- Tanana, AK
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N8281CPiper PA 18
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Loss of control on ground
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report August 14, 2014
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- FAA report
- 20140308002309A
- Case key
- 88909
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The passenger inadvertently interfered with the rudder control pedal, which resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff.
Findings · 4
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that during the takeoff run, just before liftoff from a frozen, snow-covered lake, the ski-equipped airplane bounced over a snow drift. The pilot applied corrective action; however, rudder control inputs were momentarily unresponsive and the airplane's left wing tip contacted the snow covered lake. The pilot regained rudder authority and continued the takeoff. After the airplane became airborne the pilot learned that his rear seat passenger's foot (boot) inadvertently interfered with the rudder control pedal. The pilot continued the flight to his planned destination and landed without further incident. After landing, the pilot noted damage to the left wing, which was later classified as substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that during the takeoff run, just before liftoff from a frozen, snow-covered lake, the ski-equipped airplane bounced over a snow drift. The pilot applied corrective action; however, rudder control inputs were momentarily unresponsive and the airplane's left wing tip contacted the snow covered lake. The pilot regained rudder authority and continued the takeoff. After the airplane became airborne the pilot learned that his rear seat passenger's foot (boot) inadvertently interfered with the rudder control pedal. The pilot continued the flight to his planned destination and landed without further incident. After landing, the pilot noted damage to the left wing, which was later classified as substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8281C
- Reported as
- Piper PA 18
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18-3689
- Built
- 1954
- Airframe hours
- 5,486
- Engine
- Lycoming O-290 SERIES, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Kenneth C Thomas
- Registered owner
- Kenneth C Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · August 25, 2013
- Departed
- Tanana, AK
- Destination
- FAI · Fairbanks, AK
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 48
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- August 11, 2012
- Seat
- Front
- Restraint
- 3-point
- Flight hours
- 2,000 total · 1,800 in this make and model · 2,000 as pilot in command · 20 in the last 90 days · 16 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 70° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility
- 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- -6 °F, dew point -9 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.92 inHg
Docket · 3
The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 6, 2014, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 2.1 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.