# NTSB ANC20CA047: Piper PA 18, N5478H, McGrath, AK, May 16, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 16, 2020, 09:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: McGrath, AK
- Coordinates: 62.508888, -153.89778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.5089&lon=-153.8978&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: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101284
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101284/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101284
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA047

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and impacted with the ground.

## 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, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101802), [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, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the departure roll, and as the airplane began to lift off, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left. The left wing contacted a tree and the airplane veered to the left and impacted a dirt embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5478H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5478H), registered now, S/N 18-70, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA 18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-70
- Year built: 1950
- Airframe hours: 526
- Engines: Lycoming O-235 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 2020
- Departed: McGrath, AK
- Destination: Chugiak, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: runway PVT, 1,500 × 75 ft, gravel
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 698.4 total, 28 in this make and model, 589 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: PAFS

## 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 20200516006839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200516006839A), May 16, 2020: Piper PA-18, Farewell, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted takeoff from runway 11 at Hinkes remote private airstrip 56AK and encountered wind gust during rotation. Right wing lifted upward causing…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101284. 12.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 12.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9799282&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 247 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9703642&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array-Rel.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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