# NTSB ANC20CA096: Piper PA18, N416RK, Chitina, AK, September 12, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 11, 2020, 19:15 local (Sep 12, 2020, 03:15 UTC) - Place: Chitina, AK - Coordinates: 61.33601, -142.68204 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3360&lon=-142.6820&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): 101976 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101976/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101976 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA096 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## 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) ## 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff downhill, from an unimproved airstrip, the airplane “rolled over a bump”, became airborne, and yawed slightly right. The pilot attempted to correct for the loss of directional control to no avail. Subsequently, the airplane drifted, exited the airstrip, and came to rest in the trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N416RK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N416RK), registered now, S/N 18-8434, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA18 (150) - 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: 18-8434 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 2390.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Windyfork LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 2020 - Destination: 15Z, McCarthy, AK - Airport: N/A, Nizina Strip, runway E/W, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 24, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,075 total, 14 in this make and model, 1,028 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: PACV, 1 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 20200911018819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200911018819A), Sep 11, 2020: Piper PA-18-150, Mccarthy, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot initiated a takeoff downhill toward the east. During the takeoff roll the pilot hit a bump and aircraft became airborne prior to normal lift off… ## Other investigations on N416RK (1) 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 ANC23LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA068), Aug 30, 2023: Piper PA-18-150 (N416RK), McCarthy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s excessive application of brakes during landing that resulted in a nose over. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101976. 16.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 16.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11428394&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident picture (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 301 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11429771&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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. --- 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.