# NTSB ANC89LA179: Piper PA-18, N83381, Kiana Creek, AK, October 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1989, 17:45 local (Oct 1, 1989, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Kiana Creek, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA179

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND THE PREMATURE LIFT-OFF.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION AND THE PILOT'S SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT/HUNTING GUIDE REPORTED THAT HE WAS ANXIOUS TO RELOCATE A HUNTER BEFORE THE CLOSE OF HUNTING SEASON. HE SAID THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FROM A REMOTE, 900' GRAVEL STRIP. THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE WIND SHIFTED FROM A HEADWIND TO A TAILWIND, AND THAT A GUST OF WIND PUSHED THE TAIL DOWN. HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKE OFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE STRIP AND STRIKING A STUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83381](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83381), registered now, S/N 18-7609111, built 1976 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7609111
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Garlon Or Joyce Keen
- Airport: NONE, Gravel Strip, runway 18, 900 × 20 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890930039979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890930039979A), Sep 30, 1989: Piper PA18150, Kiana Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Wind switched direction on takeoff roll. Aborted and struck a stump at end of unimproved airstrip.

## Other investigations on N83381 (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 SEA77FTA09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77FTA09), Jan 21, 1977: Piper PA-18 (N83381), Ingomar, MT, substantial damage

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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