# NTSB ANC81DAG16: Piper PA-18, N6981B, Big Lake, AK, August 31, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: August 31, 1980
- Place: Big Lake, AK · BIG LAKE, AK
- Location: 61.5450° N, 149.8180° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Lake, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5450&lon=-149.8180&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 15, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127960
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC81DAG16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3388  80/8/31    BIG LAKE,AK         PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 43, UNK/NR
        TIME - 2300                    N6981B              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BIG LAKE,AK                 ANCHORAGE,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - GLASSY WATER
        REMARKS- TKOF ACROSS INLET OF LAKE ON MOONLIT NGT,CRASHED APRX 800FT FM DEP POINT.FLOAT EQUIPPED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6981B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6981B), registered now, S/N 18-5103 (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 0-320 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 19800831076279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800831076279A), Aug 31, 1980: Piper PA18, Big Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Struck tree-tops on shore after night water takeoff. Pilot banked at last minute trying to avoid trees.

## Other investigations on N6981B (2)

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 ANC02LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA112), Sep 2, 2002: Piper PA-18 (N6981B), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on a remote airstrip, and his failure to perform a go-around that resulted in the airplane overrunning the end of the strip. Factors in the…
- [NTSB ANC90LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA048), Apr 1, 1990: Piper PA-18 (N6981B), Kodiak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN PROPER OBSTACLE CLEARANCE ALTITUDE DURING HIS FINAL APPROACH.

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.