# NTSB ANC91LA065: Piper PA-18, N9727P, Naknek, AK, June 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1991, 19:00 local (Jun 5, 1991, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Naknek, AK
- Coordinates: 58.799785, -156.900177 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.7998&lon=-156.9002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5550
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5550/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA065

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH TAKEOFF AREA AND THE TREES ALONG THE SIDE OF THE TAKEOFF AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN, HE VEERED LEFT TO AVOID RUNNING OVER A BIG BUMP.  THE LEFT WING THEN HIT SOME SMALL TREES CAUSING HIM TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND GROUND LOOP THE AIRPLANE.  THE RIGHT WING THEN STRUCK THE GROUND.  THE TAKEOFF AREA WAS AN OLD ABANDONED FISH CANNERY STRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9727P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9727P), registered now, S/N 18-7609006 (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: 18-7609006
- Airframe hours: 688
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Craig C. Coggins
- Registered owner: Craig C. Coggins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1991, 29 hours before
- Departed: NONE, NAKNEK, AK
- Destination: NONE, EGEGIK, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 469 total, 93 in this make and model, 435 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19910604020379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910604020379A), Jun 4, 1991: Piper PA18150, Naknek, AK, Substantial damage. Veered to miss a bump on an abandoned cannery strip on takeoff. Wing hit small trees causing airplane to ground loop

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.