# NTSB ANC22LA070: Piper PA-18-150, N119CC, Fairbanks, AK, September 3, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 2, 2022, 21:00 local (Sep 3, 2022, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK · Off airport
- Coordinates: 64.205228, -147.5605 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.2052&lon=-147.5605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- 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): 105870
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC22LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105870/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105870
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA070

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain centerline in dusk light conditions which resulted in impact with trees.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Light condition: low light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (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)
- [Sensory ability/limitation: visual function](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during takeoff, in dusk light conditions he was not able to see the side tree line of the runway. The airplane traveled off center line of the runway, and subsequently impacted trees and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, wing lift struts, vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N119CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N119CC), registered now, S/N 18-7409126, built 1974 (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: 18-7409126
- Year built: 1974
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 2021, 35 hours before
- Destination: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK
- Airport: PVT, Remote Airstrip
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review April 21, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.25 inHg
- Observed at: PAEI, 31 nm away
- METAR: PAEI 030540Z AUTO 14008KT 10SM SCT055 OVC080 11/08 A2925 RMK AO2 SLP910 $

## 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 20220902015249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220902015249A), Sep 2, 2022: Piper PA-18-150, Clear, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot lined up for take off with the sun in his eyes. He beleived he was going straight down the landing strip, but was not. The aircraft departed the strip to…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 20, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105870. 2.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14460971&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC22LA070%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 802 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14460778&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ANC22LA070-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.