# NTSB ANC85LA010: Piper PA-18, N4313Y, Port Heiden, AK, October 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1984, 16:30 local (Oct 20, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Heiden, AK
- Coordinates: 56.960098, -158.580688 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9601&lon=-158.5807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4440
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4440/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA010

## 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
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO A STATE POLICE REPORT, THE PLT ASSAULTED HIS WIFE, THEN LOADED HIS TWO CHILDREN INTO THE ACFT AND FLEW TO A REFUELING AREA. HE REFUELED THE ACFT, THEN TOOKOFF & CRASHED APRX 1 MILE NORTH OF THE DEPARTURE RWY. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT AFTER THE ACFT LIFTED OFF THE RWY, IT ROSE SHARPLY AND APPEARED TO ALMOST STALL, THEN IT REGAINED A LEVEL FLT ATTITUDE  AT ABOUT 100 TO 150 FT AGL BEFORE IT DISAPPEARED FROM HIS VIEW. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE ACFT CRASHED. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.128%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4313Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4313Y), registered now, S/N 18-7833, 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 O-320-A2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2b) (registry code 42101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7833
- Airframe hours: 3408
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Macarlo Christensen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1983
- Departed: PTH, PORT HEIDEN, AK
- Airport: Port Heiden, runway 31, 4,609 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,100 total, 3,100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °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 19841019057419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841019057419A), Oct 19, 1984: Piper PA18150, Port Heiden, AK, Substantial damage. Crashed near airport after erratic takeoff. Blood sample showed intoxication.

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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