# NTSB ANC77DA039: Piper PA-18, N2978P, Valdez, AK, April 11, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 11, 1977
- Place: Valdez, AK · VALDEZ, AK
- Location: 61.1308° N, 146.3483° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Valdez, AK, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1308&lon=-146.3483&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 21, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC77DA039
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DA039

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0486  77/4/11  NR.VALDEZ,AK          PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 23, 1050
        TIME - 1345                    N2978P              PX-  0  0  0  FISH SPOTTING             TOTAL HOURS, 454 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          FLENT POINT,AK              FLENT POINT,AK              UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH WATER
        REMARKS- FLOAT EQUIPPED.L WING HIT WAVE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2978P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2978P), registered now, S/N 18-4516, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19770411009379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770411009379A), Apr 11, 1977: Piper PA18150, Valdez, AK, Substantial damage. Float equipped.l wing hit wave.

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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