# NTSB ANC89LA073: Piper PA-18, N7761D, Harding Lake, AK, May 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1989, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Harding Lake, AK
- Location: 64.4213° N, 146.8155° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Harding Lake, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.4213&lon=-146.8155&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA073

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS.   A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE GUSTY/VARIABLE WIND CONDITION.

## 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
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FROM A SMALL LAKE IN HIS FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE. HE WAS UNABLE TO GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE OPPOSITE BANK, AND STRUCK THE TERRAIN WITH THE RIGHT MAIN FLOAT. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED ONTO THE SHORE AND DAMAGED THE LEFT WING. THE PILOT BELIEVES THAT THE PRESENCE OF VARIABLE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS ADDED TO THE TAKE OFF DISTANCE REQUIRED, AND THAT HE DID NOT ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7761D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7761D), registered now, S/N 18-5940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5940
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gianni, Keith G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Airport: Little Harding Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 303 total, 260 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19890518013549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890518013549A), May 18, 1989: Piper STCPA18, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Tried to take off from a lake in variable gusty wind. Became airborne too late and hit shore. Had flaps full down.

## Other investigations on N7761D (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 ANC05CA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA140), Sep 13, 2005: Piper PA-18 (N7761D), Nenana, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and a nose over.

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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