# NTSB ANC85LA132: Piper PA-18-150, N1109A, Mccarthy, AK, July 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1985, 21:45 local (Jul 19, 1985, 05:45 UTC)
- Place: Mccarthy, AK
- Coordinates: 62.100017, -145.530395 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1000&lon=-145.5304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4528/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA132

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - raising of flaps - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (cause)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
- Fire/explosion, standing

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS DEPARTING FROM A 600 FOOT LONG AIRSTRIP AT A 3400 FOOT FIELD ELEVATION. THE TAKEOFF RUN WAS DOWNSLOPE AND THE PILOT HAD TO PULL THE AIRPLANE OFF THE GROUND BY USE OF THE CONTROL STICK AND THE APPLICATION OF FULL FLAPS, THE 40 DEGREE POSITION. THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF BUT WOULD NOT CLIMB. THE PILOT HAD TO MANEUVER AROUND A HILL AND HE LOWERED THE NOSE AND REDUCED THE FLAPS TO 20 DEGREES IN AN EFFORD TO GAIN AIRSPEED. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DESCEND AND FLEW INTO THE GROUND WHEREUPON IT NOSED OVER AND BURNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1109A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1109A), registered now, S/N 18-701, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-701
- Airframe hours: 2186
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roger Morris
- Registered owner: Brent Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1985
- Departed: AK
- Airport: No Name

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 282 total, 82 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 78 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19850718032699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850718032699A), Jul 18, 1985: Piper PA18, Mccarthy, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lifted off rough runway at low airspeed. Added full flaps but aircraft would not climb. Flipped over in tundra.

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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