# NTSB ANC21LA041: Piper PA-18-105 Special, N154T, Palmer, AK, May 13, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 13, 2021, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.317989, -148.2837 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3180&lon=-148.2837&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): 103099
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103099/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103099
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA041

## Probable cause

The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and ground loop.

## 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: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101808), [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: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101808), [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 · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101808), [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: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff from an unimproved airstrip, the left tire sunk into soft ground and the airplane veered left. Subsequently, the left tire encountered willow bushes and the airplane ground looped to the left sustaining substantial damage to the right wing, right aileron, and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N154T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N154T), registered now, S/N 18-2268 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-105 SPECIAL
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-2268
- Year built: 1952
- Airframe hours: 5779
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John H. Holman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 2020
- Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 4, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,700 total, 240 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: PAAQ, 29 nm away
- METAR: PAAQ 131753Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 11/M01 A3011 RMK AO2 SLP200 T01111011 10117 20039 58009

## 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 20210513008889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210513008889A), May 13, 2021: Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was well rested, they had spent the night at Mud Strip. That morning they walked the strip twice checking on the condition of the runway. The runway was…

## Other investigations on N154T (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 DEN82FTK06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTK06), Aug 17, 1982: Piper PA-18 (N154T), Watertown, SD, destroyed, 1 fatal

## 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=103099. 2.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12309490&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident picture (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12309950&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.

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