# NTSB ANC14CA018: Piper PA 18, N8281C, Tanana, AK, March 8, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 8, 2014, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Tanana, AK - Coordinates: 65.533332, -151.916671 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.5333&lon=-151.9167&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 August 14, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 88909 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88909/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88909 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA018 ## Probable cause The passenger inadvertently interfered with the rudder control pedal, which resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Physical workspace: controls and displays](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041050): Environmental issues › Task environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041050/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041050/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/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-18A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101804), [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-18A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8281C), registered now, S/N 18-3689, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-3689 - Year built: 1954 - Airframe hours: 5486 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; 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 ## 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 20140308002309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140308002309A), Mar 8, 2014: Piper PA-18A, Substantial damage. Pilot departed snow covered frozen lake and encountered snow drifts during take-off procedure and lost directional control causing the aircraft to strike the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 6, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88909. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414649&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 299 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414650&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Left Wing (item 3, .PDF, 627 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414651&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Left%20Wing-Master.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.