# NTSB ANC23LA049: Piper PA-18, N15XX, Beluga, AK, July 1, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 1, 2023, 12:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Beluga, AK · remote strip
- Coordinates: 60.971564, -151.80398 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.9716&lon=-151.8040&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- 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/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192638
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192638/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192638
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA049

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff site, resulting in a collision with brush-covered terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot landed on a remote unimproved landing strip that was surrounded by overgrown vegetation. When the pilot attempted to takeoff, the left wing struck a stand of bushes, which pivoted the airplane to the left, and he was unable to maintain control of the airplane and subsequently impacted more bushes. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15XX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15XX), registered now, S/N 18-811, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-811
- Year built: 1951
- Airframe hours: 43
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A28 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dalks Leasing Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2023
- Departed: AAK6, Wasilla, AK
- Destination: Same as departure
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 14, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 11,184 total, 1,121 in this make and model, 11,984 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observed at: AEN, 29 nm away
- METAR: PAEN 012053Z 22009KT 10SM CLR 13/08 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP188 T01280083 51001,M

## 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 20230701008339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230701008339A), Jul 1, 2023: Piper PA-18, Shirleyville, AK, Substantial damage. ASI apf called and interviewed accident pilot on 7/13/23. Pilot was very cooperative, and stated that day he landed on a very narrow track near the mcarthur…

## Other investigations on N15XX (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 ANC26LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA093), Aug 29, 2026: Piper PA-18 (N15XX), Beluga, AK, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192638. 6.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16196924&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16187333&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA049%20Photos-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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