# NTSB ANC21LA072: Piper PA-18-150, N4018E, Rohn, AK, August 12, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 12, 2021, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Rohn, AK
- Coordinates: 62.293727, -153.37426
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.2937&lon=-153.3743&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
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103711/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103711
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA072

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

## 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

According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll on a rough ridge, the airplane “pulled” to the left, therefore he corrected the turn with right rudder. While applying the right rudder, the airplane struck a large hole, which resulted in his hunting boot becoming jammed in the rudder pedal. The pilot reduced engine power, and the airplane continued to turn 180° to the right. While in the turn, the left main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4018E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4018E), registered now, S/N 18-7809040, built 1977 (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: 18-7809040
- Year built: 1977
- Airframe hours: 389
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 2021
- Destination: LHD, Anchorage, AK
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 9, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 628 total, 469 in this make and model, 592 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 20210812013709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210812013709A), Aug 12, 2021: Piper PA-18-150, AK, Substantial damage. Description: During the take off roll on unimproved terrain the aircraft veered left, as the PIC corrected the aircraft struck a hole. Causal & contributing…

## Other investigations on N4018E (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 GAA18CA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA303), May 27, 2018: Piper PA18 (N4018E), Kenai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a tailwind.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 18, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103711. 2.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12738754&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=LA072%206120%20for%20Docket_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 219 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12741010&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20Color%20Pilot%20LA072-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - FAA inspector (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 219 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12741083&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20Color%20FAA%20Inspector-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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