# NTSB ANC93LA186: Piper PA-18, N6721L, Pilot Point, AK, September 20, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1993, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Pilot Point, AK
- Coordinates: 57.500904, -157.280441 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.5009&lon=-157.2804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2435
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2435/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA186

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS.  A FACTOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT JUST AFTER LIFTOFF FROM THE WATER, AND PASSING THE EDGE OF THE LAKE, THE AIRPLANE SETTLED ONTO THE TUNDRA.  ONE FLOAT ATTACHING POINT AND THE SURROUNDING AREA ON THE FUSELAGE WERE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.  THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT HE MIGHT HAVE ENCOUNTERED A WIND CHANGE OR SHEAR.

## Factual narrative

On September 20, 1993, at 1100 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N6721L, operated by Dahle Air Service, Inc. of Anchorage, Alaska, crashed during takeoff from an unnamed lake located 22 miles southeast of Pilot Point, Alaska.  The commercial pilot and the one passenger were not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The business flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 at the time.  Visual meteorological conditions existed, and a company VFR flight plan was filed.

During a telephone interview with the pilot on September 22, 1993, he stated the following, in part:  "I had just taken off and cleared the edge of the lake when the airplane just settled back down on the tundra.  The winds were variable from the northwest to the southwest at about 15 gusting to 20 knots.  I think I encountered a downdraft.  When the airplane settled down on the floats, one float attaching point and the surrounding area of the fuselage was damaged."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6721L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6721L), registered now, S/N 18-7409114, built 1974 (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: 18-7409114
- Airframe hours: 1919
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Dahle, Clyde M., doing business as Dahle Air Service
- Registered owner: Dahle, Clyde M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1993, 35 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,940 total, 1,268 in this make and model, 2,907 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- 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 19930920035969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930920035969A), Sep 20, 1993: Piper PA18150, Pilot Point, AK, Substantial damage. Just cleared lakeshre entered downdraft and settled onto tundra during water takeoff.

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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