# NTSB ANC14CA084: Piper PA 18-150, N1879P, Cantwell, AK, September 17, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 17, 2014, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Cantwell, AK
- Coordinates: 62.950832, -148.246673
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.9508&lon=-148.2467&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 December 5, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90089
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90089/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90089
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA084

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff from an off-airport site, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

## 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)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/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-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); 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: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was departing from a remote airstrip in a 3-4 knot left crosswind. After the airplane started its takeoff roll, it drifted left of the planned takeoff path and into low lying brush adjacent to the airstrip. The pilot continued the takeoff roll while correcting to the right with no results. The airplane became airborne, without enough airspeed to maintain flight. The airplane descended downhill and impacted brush and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported he was departing from a remote airstrip in a 3-4 knot left crosswind. After the airplane started its takeoff roll, it drifted left of the planned takeoff path and into low lying brush adjacent to the airstrip. The pilot continued the takeoff roll while correcting to the right with no results. The airplane became airborne, without enough airspeed to maintain flight. The airplane descended downhill and impacted brush and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1879P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1879P), registered now, S/N 18-4158 (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: 18-4158
- Year built: 1955
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 B2B 160 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wilson, Alan W
- Registered owner: Williams, Steven C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Cantwell, AK
- Destination: PALH, Anchorage, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 12, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Other flight crew; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; seat: rear

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.36 inHg
- Observed at: PAEC, 46 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 20140917017259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140917017259A), Sep 17, 2014: Piper PA-18-150, Cantwell, AK, Substantial damage. Airman attempted take off from unimproved remote strip. Lack of adequate directional control caused the airplane to drift out of the intended take off path,…

## Other investigations on N1879P (3)

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 DEN88LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA053), Jan 14, 1988: Piper PA-18-150 (N1879P), Casper, WY, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN78DTC18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78DTC18), Mar 30, 1978: Piper PA-18 (N1879P), Worland, WY, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN76DTC34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76DTC34), May 20, 1976: Piper PA-18 (N1879P), Worland, WY, substantial damage

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 24, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90089. 2.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419388&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419389&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Statement - Wilson (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419390&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20-%20Wilson-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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