# NTSB ANC21LA075: Piper PA-18, N1264A, Talkeetna, AK, August 10, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 9, 2021, 20:30 local (Aug 10, 2021, 04:30 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.635386, -149.06035 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.6354&lon=-149.0603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (OPS) - NTSB case key (mKey): 103737 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103737/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103737 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA075 ## Probable cause The malfunction of the control stick during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: control column section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022701): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022701/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022701/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a private gravel-covered airstrip, the control stick “jammed” as the airplane climbed between 10 and 15 ft above ground level. Because the pilot and the passenger were both unable to move the control stick at their positions, the pilot closed the engine throttle to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane landed in an area of tree-covered terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The cause of this accident could not be determined from the available evidence. ## Factual narrative On August 9, 2021, about 2030 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18 airplane, N1264A, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Talkeetna, Alaska. The pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a private gravel-covered airstrip, the control stick “jammed” as the airplane climbed between 10 and 15 ft above ground level. The pilot noted that she was unable to move the control stick forward and aft or left to right. To regain elevator and aileron control, the pilot asked the passenger, who was in the aft seat, to assist using the control stick installed in that position, but he was unable to move the control stick. The pilot then decided to close the engine throttle and attempt an emergency landing. Subsequently, the airplane landed in an area of tree-covered terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. Postaccident examination of the airplane found no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Specifically, examination of the forward and aft control stick mechanisms found no obstructions, and the mechanisms operated with a full range of motion. Also, control cable continuity was established. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1264A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1264A), registered now, S/N 18-1060, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18 (160) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1060 - Year built: 1951 - Airframe hours: 5203 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pierskalla Sheila - Registered owner: Pierskalla Nicolas B - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2021, 50 hours before - Destination: 4AK6, Wasilla, AK - Airport: AK61, Stephan Lake Lodge, runway 18/36, 3,000 × 50 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,492 total, 1,359 in this make and model, 1,409 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken ## 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 20210809013619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210809013619A), Aug 9, 2021: Piper PA-18, Stephan Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft took off to the south from stephens lake, AK61, dirt strip. Strong crosswind. On climb out pilot stated that the flight controls jammed in a slight… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 8, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103737. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12894161&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC21LA075%20N1264A%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Wreckage exam notes (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 490 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13856713&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC21LA075%20Wreckage%20Exam%20Notes-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 547 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12889844&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20-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.