# NTSB ANC83LA176: Piper PA-18A, N7286D, Big Lake, AK, September 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1983, 18:50 local (Sep 17, 1983, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Big Lake, AK
- Location: 61.4342° N, 150.6349° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from BIG LAKE (BGQ), within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4342&lon=-150.6349&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4174
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4174/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA176

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH BUSHES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE PILOT TOLD THE INVESTIGATOR THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM THE GRASS STRIP BUT ABORTED AT THE LAST MOMENT. HE SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACFT BEFORE STRIKING BUSHES AT THE DEPARTURE END.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7286D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7286D-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 18-5705, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 1186
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James M. Fejes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1983, 1,080 hours before
- Airport: BGQ, Big Lake, runway 4, 1,500 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 262 total, 150 in this make and model, 148 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19830916051249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830916051249A), Sep 16, 1983: Piper PA18A, Big Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Unable for a timely liftoff from a short grass strip. Aborted takeoff. Unable to stop on runway. Ran into bushes.

## Other investigations on N7286D (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 ANC84LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA033), Jan 24, 1984: Piper PA-18A (N7286D), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC76DAH86](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH86), Sep 24, 1976: Piper PA-18 (N7286D), Chitina, 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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