# NTSB ANC82DAG19: Piper PA-18-150, N57617, Birchwood, AK, April 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1982, 22:04 local (Apr 30, 1982, 06:04 UTC)
- Place: Birchwood, AK
- Coordinates: 57.440845, -134.480316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.4408&lon=-134.4803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DAG19
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG19

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - light condition - dark night
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING ONE TAKEOFF AND LANDING, THE PILOT ELECTED TO DO A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF. HE HELD THE BRAKES AND APPLIED FULL THROTTLE. HIS RIGHT FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE RIGHT BRAKE AND THE AIRCRAFT TURNED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. DURING THE TURN, THE AIRCRAFT WENT UP ON ITS RIGHT WING WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57617](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57617), registered now, S/N 18-7709125, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- 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
- Serial number: 187709125
- Airframe hours: 448
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jim L. Harkins
- Registered owner: Jim L. Harkins
- Departed: Z15, BIRCHWOOD, AK
- Destination: Z15, BIRCHWOOD, AK
- Airport: Z15, Birchwood, runway 19, 4,000 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 87 total, 16 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Temperature: 113 °F

## 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 19820429014029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820429014029A), Apr 29, 1982: Piper PA18150, Birchwood, AK, Substantial damage. Held brakes on full power runup for a short field takeoff. Foot slipped off brake. Airplane turned up on a wing.

## Other investigations on N57617 (4)

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 ANC25LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA033), Apr 9, 2025: Piper PA-18-150 (N57617), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane was not attaining sufficient airspeed for takeoff and subsequently departed the end of the lake and collided with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC96LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA094), Jul 3, 1996: Piper PA-18 (N57617), Cantwell, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. A factor in the accident was the crosswind.
- [NTSB ANC84LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA161), Sep 1, 1984: Piper PA-18-150 (N57617), Slana, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC81DAG61](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG61), Jul 24, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N57617), Kenai, AK, substantial damage

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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