# NTSB ANC93LA031: Piper PA-18, N4882P, Fairbanks, AK, February 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1993, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809097, -147.720916 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8091&lon=-147.7209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA031

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - approach light/navaid

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN THE AIRPLANE ABRUPTLY SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND REALIGNMENT ON THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE LEFT THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATOR. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT THE AIRPLANES LEFT BRAKE HAD MOMENTARILY LOCKED UP. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANES BRAKES AND FLIGHT CONTROLS FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4882P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7773
- Airframe hours: 4409
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen L. Fisher
- Registered owner: Fisher, Stirling, & Mancill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1992, 168 hours before
- Departed: FAI
- Airport: FAI, Fairbanks International, runway 1, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 121 total, 28 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -2 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAI, 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 19930205001849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930205001849A), Feb 5, 1993: Piper PA18150, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Wheel ski equipped aircraft veered off runway on takeoff and struck VASI lights.

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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