# NTSB ANC21LA037: Piper PA-18-150, N717DR, Cold Bay, AK, May 7, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 7, 2021, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Cold Bay, AK - Coordinates: 55.2001, -162.71682 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.2001&lon=-162.7168&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 - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103057 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103057/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103057 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA037 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in a gusty crosswind condition. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff with a quartering crosswind, the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered a gust of wind, veered right, and exited the runway. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest upright and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N717DR (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4387 - Year built: 1955 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard A. Guthrie - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2021 - Airport: CDB, Cold Bay, runway 15, 10,179 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 4, 2020; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,791 total, 2,810 in this make and model, 4,750 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 14 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.29 inHg - Observed at: PACD, 1 nm away - METAR: PACD 072053Z 09014G21KT 10SM -RA OVC034 06/04 A2929 RMK AO2 PK WND 08029/1957 SLP919 P0003 60011 T00610039 55002 ## 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 20210507008979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210507008979A), May 7, 2021: Piper PA-18-150, Cold Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated the observed winds were 18 to 24 knots at the time of takeoff as reported from the flight service station. Pilot further stated the crosswind was… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103057. 6.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12626410&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident pictures (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12626553&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Pictures_Redacted-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.