# NTSB ANC91LA011: Piper PA-18-150, N9786P, Thorne Bay, AK, November 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 7, 1990, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Thorne Bay, AK
- Coordinates: 55.569049, -132.39093 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.5690&lon=-132.3909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5509/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA011

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - tree(s) (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT ABORTED TAKEOFF FROM A BEACH. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE STUMP AND NOSED OVER. THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTEDLY HEAVILY LOADED AT THE TIME. GUSTY AND VARIABLE CROSSWINDS OF ABOUT 30 TO 40 KNOTS WERE REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9786P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9786P), registered now, S/N 18-7609029, built 1976 (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: 18-7609029
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Neil J. Trautman
- Departed: NONE, THORNE BAY, AK
- Destination: JUN, JUNEAU, AK
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,783 total, 1,458 in this make and model, 1,675 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- 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 19901107049129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901107049129A), Nov 7, 1990: Piper PA18150, Thorne Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Unable to leave ground effect. Aborted hit stump. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N9786P (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 ANC79DAA19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DAA19), Jun 26, 1979: Piper PA-18 (N9786P), Lake Peters, AK, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.