# NTSB ANC21LA055: Piper PA-18-150, N82547, Talkeetna, AK, July 4, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 3, 2021, 23:00 local (Jul 4, 2021, 07:00 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.173903, -150.06427 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1739&lon=-150.0643&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: 1 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): 103464 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103464/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103464 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA055 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper flight control inputs which resulted in a loss of directional control and a nose-over. ## 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-18-150, 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) - [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) ## 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 of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during takeoff he pushed forward aggressively on the control stick which resulted in a nose-down pitching moment exacerbated by fuel sloshing forward in the wing fuel tanks. In an effort to correct for the pitching moment, he pulled aft on the control stick which caused the tailwheel to impact the ground and the airplane veered to the left. Unable to correct for the veer, he applied the brakes too hard which resulted in a nose-over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right lift strut and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, and that the accident may have been prevented if he had been less aggressive when applying flight control inputs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82547](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82547), registered now, S/N 18-7909003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150 - 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: 18-7909003 - Year built: 1978 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: B407 LLC - Registered owner: B407 LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 2020 - Destination: 4AK6, Wasilla, AK - Airport: AK19, Carl'S Landing, runway 16/34, 2,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 7, 2020; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,810 total, 150 in this make and model, 2,810 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: PATK, 9 nm away - METAR: PATK 040653Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM OVC060 13/08 A3022 RMK AO2 SLP237 T01330078 TSNO ## 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 20210703012539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210703012539A), Jul 3, 2021: Piper PA-18-150, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot on takeroll, tail lifted quicker than expected and pilot feared the prop would strike the ground. Pilot pulled back on flight controls to lower tail. The… ## 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=103464. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12646816&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memo for record - damage determination (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12689658&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20-%20Damage-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.