# NTSB ANC84LA195: Piper PA-18, N411X, Tikchik Lodge, AK, September 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1984, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Tikchik Lodge, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4384
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4384/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA195

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM A 500 FT SAND BAR AND DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK SOFT SPOTS. REALIZING THE ACFT WAS NOT GOING TO BECOME AIRBORNE HE CLOSED THE THROTTLE ATTEMPTING TO STOP IN THE REMAINING DISTANCE. THE ACFT LEFT THE END OF THE SAND BAR, ROLLED INTO THREE FT OF WATER AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N411X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N411X), registered now, S/N 18-7851, 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: 187851
- Airframe hours: 4350
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John W. Wilber
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1984, 7 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Sandbar

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 10 °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 19840930056889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840930056889A), Sep 30, 1984: Piper PA18150, Tikchik Lodge, AK, Substantial damage. Attempted takeoff on 500 foot sand bar. Realized liftoff unlikely. Aborted, rolled into water, nosed over.

## Other investigations on N411X (1)

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 NYC70DFA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70DFA02-201236), Jan 9, 1970: Piper PA-18 (N411X), Lawrenceville, NY, 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.

---
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.