# NTSB ANC85FA042: Piper PA-18, N4242Z, Minto, AK, January 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1985, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Minto, AK
- Coordinates: 65.150177, -149.369262 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.1502&lon=-149.3693&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): 4396
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4396/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD LANDED THE SKI EQUIPPED ACFT ON THE SHORE OF A LAKE THAT WAS COVERED WITH GRASSY TUNDRA & SNOW. FOR A SUBSEQUENT TAKEOFF, HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE STRAIGHT AHEAD RATHER THAN BACK TAXI TO WHERE HE HAD A KNOWN SURFACE CONDITION. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE PLT ELECTED TO LIFT-OFF PREMATURELY TO MINIMIZE BOUNCING/POUNDING ON THE ROUGH SURFACE. HOWEVER, THE SKIS BROKE THRU THE CRUSTED SNOW & THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4242Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4242Z), registered now, S/N 18-8597, built 1967 (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: 18-8597
- Airframe hours: 1448
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred Frank Ensign
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1984, 135 hours before
- Destination: PS, FAIRBANKS, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 2,200 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850125002789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850125002789A), Jan 25, 1985: Piper PA18150, Minto, AK, Substantial damage. Ski broke thru snow crust on takeoff roll and flipped over. Early liftoff due to rough surface. No medical biennial

## Other investigations on N4242Z (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 ANC24LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA098), Sep 15, 2024: Piper PA-18-150 (N4242Z), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain a rate of climb sufficient to clear obstacles during takeoff, resulting in a collision with obstacles and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.

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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