# NTSB ANC90LA183: Piper PA-18-150, N7580Y, Coal Creek, AK, September 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1990, 18:00 local (Sep 23, 1990, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Coal Creek, AK
- Coordinates: 61.6194, -148.979949 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6194&lon=-148.9799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA183

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY REMOVE SNOW FROM THE AIRPLANE AND HIS DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - abort - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A SHORT MOUNTAINOUS STRIP WITH WET SNOW ON THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO GET AIRBORNE AND RAN OFF THE END OF THE STRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7580Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7580Y), registered now, S/N 18-8300, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- 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: 18-8300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Michael J. Meekin
- Destination: NONE, PALMER, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,500 total, 4,300 in this make and model, 4,400 as pilot in command, 280 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °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 19900922042159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900922042159A), Sep 22, 1990: Piper PA18150, Coal Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Unable to obtain flying speed on snow covered strip. Aborted late and ran into trees. Snow and ice on airframe.

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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