# NTSB ANC82FA089: Piper PA-18, N9104D, Near Clear, AK, September 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1982, 19:00 local (Sep 9, 1982, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Near Clear, AK
- Coordinates: 64.299934, -149.14952 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.2999&lon=-149.1495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71854
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82FA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71854/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82FA089

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF THE ACFT BEGAN A RIGHT TURN. HE APPLIED FULL LEFT RUDDER & LEFT AILERON BUT THE ACFT DID NOT RESPOND. IT CONTINUED TO TURN RIGHT UNTIL IT STRUCK TREES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STRIP. THE PLT THOUGHT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE FLT CONTROL SYSTEM OF THE CAL CENTER CONVERSION. NO MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE ACFT HAD FLOWN ONLY 6 HRS SINCE THE CONVERSION WAS INSTALLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9104D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9104D), registered now, S/N 18-6483, built 1958 (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
- Serial number: 18-6483
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Wallace W. Rochester
- Registered owner: Wallace W. Rochester
- Departed: NEAR CLEAR, AK
- Destination: NEAR CLEAR, AK
- Airport: Bush Strip, runway 15, 1,100 × 30 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 10,000 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °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 19820908045459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820908045459A), Sep 8, 1982: Piper PA18, Clear, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control of aircraft on takeoff climb. No defects found. Fuel selector was on a empty tank. Fuel in gascolator.

## Other investigations on N9104D (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 FTW71DPA25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71DPA25), Mar 14, 1971: Piper PA-24 (N9104D), Baborigane, Mexico, destroyed, 1 fatal
- [NTSB UNK64X2964](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2964), Jul 21, 1964: Piper PA-18 (N9104D), Filer, ID, 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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