# NTSB ANC90LA171: Piper PA-18, N2460A, Sparrevohn, AK, September 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1990, 16:00 local (Sep 12, 1990, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Sparrevohn, AK
- Coordinates: 61.160854, -149.990295 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1609&lon=-149.9903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5450
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5450/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA171

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.  THE ROUGH/UNEVEN GRAVEL BAR WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL ON A GRAVEL BAR, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND SLID OVER A 100 FOOT DROP, TAIL FIRST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2460A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 181945
- Airframe hours: 4250
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wayne Kubat
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1990, 320 hours before
- Departed: 230, PORT ALSWORTH, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,970 total, 1,850 in this make and model, 1,970 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °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 19900911044069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900911044069A), Sep 11, 1990: Piper PA18135, Sparrevohn, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft lurched to right on takeoff,ground looped,dropped over a cliff. Blamed windshear and broken bungee shock.

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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