# NTSB ANC92LA139: Piper PA-18-150, N63805, Iliamna, AK, August 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1992, 14:08 local (22:08 UTC)
- Place: Iliamna, AK
- Coordinates: 59.850608, -154.559417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8506&lon=-154.5594&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 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5786/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA139

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, HIS IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CROSSWIND.

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, LEFT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.  BEFORE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF, THE PILOT WAS TOLD BY THE AIRPORT BASED FSS THAT THE WINDS WERE GUSTING IN EXCESS OF 30 KNOTS.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO ATTEMPT TO TAKEOFF WITH THE CROSSWIND INSTEAD OF USING THE INTERSECTING RUNWAY, WHICH WAS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR USE AT THE TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63805](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63805), registered now, S/N 18-7809110, built 1978 (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: 18-7809110
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leonard D. Dubay
- Registered owner: Leonard D. Dubay
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1900
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ILI, Iliamna, runway 17, 4,800 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 943 total, 39 in this make and model, 760 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 20 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILI, 1 nm away

## 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 19920822032739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920822032739A), Aug 22, 1992: Piper PA18150, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Attempted crosswind takeoff in severe crosswind. Was blown off runway. A runway was available into the wind.

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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