# NTSB ANC94LA005: Piper PA-18-180, N3680Z, Pilot Point, AK, October 3, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 3, 1993, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Pilot Point, AK - Coordinates: 57.499389, -157.28038 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.4994&lon=-157.2804&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (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): 2463 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2463/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA005 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND DURING TAXI. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED HE WAS TAXIING WITH A STRONG CROSSWIND. HIS TAXI SPEED WAS A NORMAL SPEED AND HE WAS HOLDING THE CONTROL STICK IN A NEUTRAL POSITION. A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE LEFT WING AND THE PILOT THEN MOVED THE CONTROL STICK TO THE LEFT AND ADDED POWER. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. ## Factual narrative On October 3, 1993, at 1100 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-180 airplane, N3680Z, registered to the Driscoll Aircraft Corporation of Anchorage, Alaska, and piloted by the Pilot-in-Command, swerved off the south side of the runway at Pilot Point, Alaska, while taxiing for takeoff. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing Pilot Point for a local flight. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane was substantially damaged and there were no injuries to the Private Certificated Pilot-in-Command and his passenger. According to the Pilot-in-Command, he was taxiing eastbound to prepare for a westbound takeoff. Just prior to reaching the end of the runway, the wind, blowing from the north, picked up his left wing and the airplane left the runway off the south side. The Pilot-in-Command stated he could not estimate the wind speed; however, the wind sock was standing straight out. He also stated he was relaxed during the taxi and could not estimate his taxi speed except as "a speed at which he normally would taxi," and that he held the control stick in a neutral position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3680Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3680Z), registered now, S/N 18-7409, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-180 - 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: 18-7409 - Airframe hours: 3901 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Driskell, Clifford - Registered owner: Driskell, Clifford - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1993 - Departed: PIP - Airport: PIP, Pilot Point, runway 27, 3,000 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,218 total, 1,636 in this make and model, 2,218 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 30 knots, gusting 35 - Visibility: 99 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19931003038469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931003038469A), Oct 3, 1993: Piper PA18180, Pilot Point, AK, Substantial damage. During taxi for takeoff wind gust picked up a wing. Lost control. Veered off runway over an embankment. ## Other investigations on N3680Z (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 ANC89LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA162), Sep 12, 1989: Piper PA-18 (N3680Z), Trading Bay, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR HIS INTENDED LANDING AREA. WET TERRAIN/HYDROPLANING CONDITIONS IN THE INITIAL TOUCHDOWN AREA AND AN OBJECT (STUMP) CONTRIBUTED TO THE OCCURRENCE. 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.