# NTSB ANC21LA076: Piper PA-18-150, N82064, Kenai, AK, August 28, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 28, 2021, 15:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.77425, -151.89859
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7743&lon=-151.8986&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- 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, Manager, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103770/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103770
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA076

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

## 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)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after takeoff from the unimproved airstrip, he encountered a gust of wind that lifted the right wing. Subsequently, the left main tire contacted terrain and the airplane made an abrupt 180º left turn. He attempted to land, but the airplane stalled and impacted terrain sustaining substantial damage to the right wing, right aileron and right lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82064](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82064), registered now, S/N 18-7809123, built 1978 (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: 18-7809123
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 1683.95
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 2021
- Airport: PVT, Pvt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 85; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 27, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,000 total, 737 in this make and model, 2.4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observed at: PAEN, 23 nm away
- METAR: PAEN 282353Z 28007KT 10SM CLR 13/04 A2984 RMK AO2 SLP108 T01330039 10139 20100 55003

## Other investigations on N82064 (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 ANC86LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA156), Sep 14, 1986: Piper PA-18 (N82064), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 18, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103770. 2.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12811470&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 612 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12814443&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Phtoto%20Array-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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