# NTSB ANC24LA101: Piper PA-18-105 Special, N303T, Big Lake, AK, April 15, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 15, 2024, 04:00 local (12:00 UTC) - Place: Big Lake, AK · Near alexander creek - Coordinates: 61.45, -150.5 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4500&lon=-150.5000&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): 195182 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195182/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195182 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA101 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/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-18-105 SPECIAL, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was departing from a gravel bar and immediately after becoming airborne he initiated a left turn to follow the curve of the terrain. The wing tip impacted a stump that was about six feet tall which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N303T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N303T), registered now, S/N 18-2417, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-105 SPECIAL - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2417 - Year built: 1953 - Engines: Lycoming L-19393-36A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PALH, Anchorage, AK - Destination: PALH, Anchorage, AK - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 26, 2024; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Icing: Unknown - Turbulence: Unknown ## 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 20240415014349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240415014349A), Apr 15, 2024: Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, Beluga, AK, Substantial damage. On April 15, 2024, at 7:54 pm Alaska time Piper PA-18-105 special [privacy data omitted] was involved in an accident at coordinates N61 26.728 W150 31.911… ## Other investigations on N303T (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 CEN22LA417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA417), Sep 9, 2022: Piper PA-18-105 Special (N303T), Delta Junction, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to depart during high, gusty wind conditions which resulted sink and subsequent impact with terrain. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 6, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195182. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17771171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA101%20pilot%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 313 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17770751&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA101%20Investigative%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. --- 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.