# NTSB ANC78DAG85: Piper PA-18, N3876Z, Skwentna, AK, July 3, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 3, 1978
- Place: Skwentna, AK · SKWENTNA, AK
- Location: 61.9903° N, 151.3978° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Skwentna, AK, within about 12 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9903&lon=-151.3978&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC78DAG85
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78DAG85

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3959   78/7/3  NR.SKWENTNA,AK        PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 27, 109
        TIME - 0900                    N3876Z              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 32 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - TALCHULITNA LODGE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         SKWENTNA,AK                  LAKE CREEK,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF BRAKES AND/OR FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        REMARKS- TAILWHEEL NOT ENGAGED PRIOR TO TKOF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3876Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Talchulitna Lodge

## 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 19780703018579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780703018579A), Jul 3, 1978: Piper PA18150, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Tailwheel not engaged prior to tkof.

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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