# NTSB ANC90LA071: Piper PA-18, N407WB, Big Mountain, AK, May 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1990, 18:30 local (May 18, 1990, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Mountain, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA071

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND FAILED TO COMPENSATE FOR GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE TAKE OFF ROLL.

## 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
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER ON TO ITS BACK. THE PILOT STATED THAT A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE LOSS OF CONTROL. WIND CONDITIONS WERE 120 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 20 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N407WB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N407WB), registered now, S/N 18-8085, built 1963 (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: 188085
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chris F. Goll
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: runway 9, 3,500 × 75 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19900517016999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900517016999A), May 17, 1990: Piper PA18150, Big Mountain, AK, Substantial damage. Crosswind on takeoff lifted wing lost control and cartwheeled off strip.

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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