# NTSB ANC88LA129: Piper PA-18, N234E, Oshetna River, AK, September 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1988, 16:00 local (Sep 6, 1988, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Oshetna River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5070
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5070/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA129

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM AN EXTREMELY NARROW AND SHORT STRETCH OF LAND SITUATED NEAR A RIVER. HE HAD USED THIS OFF-AIRPORT, UNIMPROVED SITE FOR SEVERAL YEARS WITHOUT DIFFICULTY UNTIL THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. ON THIS OCCASION, THE AIRPLANE HIT A BUMP, BECAME PREMATURELY AIRBORNE AND BOUNCED HARD ON THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR. THE GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING. THE PILOT SAID THAT THE ACCIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD HE ELECTED TO WAIT FOR A HEAD WIND PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING THE TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N234E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18 6787
- Airframe hours: 4364
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Borders, Glenn A.
- Registered owner: Borders, Glenn A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1988, 7 hours before
- Destination: Z15, CHUGIAK, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,118 total, 400 in this make and model, 3,046 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19880905038419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880905038419A), Sep 5, 1988: Piper PA18A150, Oshetna River, AK, Substantial damage. Tried takeoff from short strip. Bounced into air on bump,came down,collapsed right gear and turned acft into bank.

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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