# NTSB ANC14CA070: Piper PA 18-150, N5616Y, Beluga, AK, August 27, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 26, 2014, 21:15 local (Aug 27, 2014, 05:15 UTC)
- Place: Beluga, AK
- Coordinates: 55.920314, -159.490509 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9203&lon=-159.4905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 11, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89986
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89986/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89986
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA070

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area, resulting in an inflight collision with vegetation/brush during takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [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)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [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)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was departing, in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, from a 600 foot long, by 50 wide, off-airport site that was surrounded by trees and overgrown brush. The pilot reported that before starting his takeoff roll he completed the predeparture checklist, and then he configured the wing flaps by placing the flap handle into the first notch. During the takeoff roll, and as the airplane achieved a takeoff speed, the pilot applied an additional notch of flaps. The pilot reported that as the airplane became airborne, the left wing contacted an area of overgrown brush, which briefly pivoted the airplane to the left. The pilot then applied full right rudder to correct for the pivoting and realign the airplane over the site, resulting in a reduction of airspeed. The airplane subsequently descended into an area of brush-covered terrain at the departure end of the site, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was departing, in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, from a 600 foot long, by 50 wide, off-airport site that was surrounded by trees and overgrown brush. The pilot reported that before starting his takeoff roll he completed the predeparture checklist, and then he configured the wing flaps by placing the flap handle into the first notch. During the takeoff roll, and as the airplane achieved a takeoff speed, the pilot applied an additional notch of flaps. The pilot reported that as the airplane became airborne, the left wing contacted an area of overgrown brush, which briefly pivoted the airplane to the left. The pilot then applied full right rudder to correct for the pivoting and realign the airplane over the site, resulting in a reduction of airspeed. The airplane subsequently descended into an area of brush-covered terrain at the departure end of the site, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5616Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5616Y), registered now, S/N 18-8287, built 1965 (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: 18-8287
- Year built: 1965
- Airframe hours: 2816
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 2013, 150 hours before
- Departed: None, Beluga, AK
- Destination: 4AK6, Palmer, AK
- Airport: None, Gravel Strip, runway none, 600 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 7, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 161 total, 161 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 20140826016959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140826016959A), Aug 26, 2014: Piper PA-18-150, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he was taking off from an airstrip 55 miles west of Anchorage near coal creek when his left wing tip hit a tree and caused him to loose airspeed.…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89986. 4.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 777 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421985&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Satellite Image of Accident Site Location (item 2, .PDF, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Satellite%20Image%20of%20Accident%20Site%20Location-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 – Right Side View of Wreckage – Courtesy of Alaska Claims Services (item 3, .PDF, 869 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20Side%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20%E2%80%93%20Courtesy%20of%20Alaska%20Claims%20Services-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – Left Side View of Wreckage – Courtesy of Alaska Claims Services (item 4, .PDF, 807 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421988&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Left%20Side%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20%E2%80%93%20Courtesy%20of%20Alaska%20Claims%20Services-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 – Front View of Wreckage – Courtesy of Alaska Claims Services (item 5, .PDF, 864 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421989&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93%20Front%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20%E2%80%93%20Courtesy%20of%20Alaska%20Claims%20Services-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 – Rear View of Wreckage – Courtesy of Alaska Claims Services (item 6, .PDF, 893 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421990&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20%E2%80%93%20Rear%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20%E2%80%93%20Courtesy%20of%20Alaska%20Claims%20Services%20-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.

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