# NTSB ANC94LA008: Piper PA-18, N81648, Port Heiden, AK, October 4, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 4, 1993, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Port Heiden, AK - Coordinates: 56.960968, -158.579238 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9610&lon=-158.5792&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 August 17, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2466 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2466/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA008 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION. A FACTOR WAS RISING TERRAIN. ## Analysis THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED THE WIND WAS BLOWING STRAIGHT DOWN THE RUNWAY AT 20 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 25 KNOTS. THE RUNWAY WAS VERY WET AND SOFT. HE ELECTED TO TAKE OFF UP HILL DUE TO THE WIND. AFTER LIFT OFF, THE AIRPLANE COULD NOT OUT CLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN AND THE LANDING GEAR STRUCK THE BRUSH AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED. ## Factual narrative On October 4, 1993, at 1000 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N81648, registered to Kurt Lepping of Wasilla, Alaska, and operated by Damond Blankenship of Eagle River, Alaska, struck some brush after takeoff from a field site located 21.7 miles east of Port Heiden, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing the field site and the destination was Port Heiden. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the Private Certificated Pilot-in-Command and his passenger were not injured. According to the Pilot-in-Command, the wind was straight down the runway, blowing at 20 knots gusting to 25 knots. He made the takeoff roll uphill into the wind and lifted off near the end of the airstrip. The airplane settled and the left main gear struck some brush and spun the airplane around. The Pilot-in-Command stated the surface of the runway was very soft, and the main landing gear wheels, airstreak 30 inch tires, would sink into the surface 1 to 2 inches. He used full flaps for takeoff. During a telephone interview with the Pilot-in-Command, he stated the airplane was empty except for himself and the passenger and 10 to 15 gallons of fuel which was distributed equally between the fuel tanks. The Pilot-in-Command could not provide the empty weight of the airplane and stated, although he did not perform a weight and balance, he felt the airplane was under its gross weight. They were planning to fly to Port Heiden to pick up fuel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81648](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81648-2014-11-21), registration cancelled 2014-11-21, S/N 18-6452, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 186452 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Blankenship, Damon - Registered owner: Lepping, Kurt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Airport: runway 18, 600 × 20 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 263 total, 11 in this make and model, 263 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 90 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °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 19931004045399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931004045399A), Oct 4, 1993: Piper PA18A150, Port Heiden, AK, Substantial damage. Took off remote uphill soft strip. Settled after lift off into brush and cartwheeled. Used full flaps. ## Other investigations on N81648 (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 ANC00LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA127), Sep 20, 2000: Piper PA-18 (N81648), Galena, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Factors were the crosswind, and a snow-covered ridge. 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.