# NTSB ANC85LA139: Piper PA-18, N1104N, Kustatan River, AK, July 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1985, 22:15 local (Jul 31, 1985, 06:15 UTC)
- Place: Kustatan River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (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): 4532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA139

## 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
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE LANDED THE FLOAT PLANE ON THE KUSTATAN RIVER TO FISH. LATER, WHEN HE WAS DEPARTING, HE SELECTED AN AREA THAT REQUIRED NEGOTIATING A TURN ON THE STEP. HE REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A 10 TO 12 KNOT HEADWIND THAT BECAME A QUARTERING HEADWIND AS HE APPROACHED THE LIFT-OFF POINT. HOWEVER, AT THAT POINT, THE WIND WAS BLOCKED BY TREES TO VIRTUALLY NO WIND. REPORTEDLY, HE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED WHEN THE ACFT LIFTED OFF. SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT STALLED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT SETTLED TO THE SURFACE & NOSED OVER BEFORE COMING TO REST NEXT TO A SAND BAR. THE PLT DID NOT POSSESS A SEA PLANE RATING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1104N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1104N), registered now, S/N 18-7579 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187579
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Randy Pope
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1984

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 344 total, 344 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19850730035269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850730035269A), Jul 30, 1985: Piper PA18150, Kustatan River, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft stalled after liftoff from creek. Aircraft nosed over. Wind varied due to trees. Short takeoff area.

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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