# NTSB ANC84LA021: Piper PA-18, N5087Y, Delta Junction, AK, December 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1983, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Delta Junction, AK
- Coordinates: 64.80957, -147.719757 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8096&lon=-147.7198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4260
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4260/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA021

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS TAKING OFF FROM AN UNIMPROVED AREA COVERED BY 2 INCHES OF SNOW. AT ABOUT 80 FT INTO THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE ACFT BOUNCED LEFT INTO MUSKEG, COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5087Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5087Y), registered now, S/N 18-7894, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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: 18-7894
- Airframe hours: 2270
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William J. Sewell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1983, 45 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 9,718 total, 3,300 in this make and model, 230 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 7 °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 19831201059779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831201059779A), Dec 1, 1983: Piper PA18150, Delta Junction, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft collided with a ridge of muskeg during takeoff run from a private strip.

## Other investigations on N5087Y (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 ANC89LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA096), Jun 19, 1989: Piper PA-18 (N5087Y), Rainbow Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED (ANGLE OF ATTACK) THAT WOULD PRECLUDE A STALL.
- [NTSB ANC81DAA25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAA25), Aug 16, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N5087Y), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC79DAA34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DAA34), Sep 5, 1979: Piper PA-18 (N5087Y), Eielson Afb, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC77DAH05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAH05-145089), Sep 5, 1977: Piper PA-18 (N5087Y), Anchorage, 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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