# NTSB ANC94LA060: Piper PA-18-150, N99PJ, Pilot Point, AK, May 23, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1994, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Pilot Point, AK
- Coordinates: 57.49998, -157.279388 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.5000&lon=-157.2794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2504/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA060

## Probable cause

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

## 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
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN, A SMALL BUMP IN THE RUNWAY, AND A LEFT CROSS WIND, BROUGHT THE LEFT WING UP AND THE AIRCRAFT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE DESPITE AILERON AND RUDDER INPUT.

## Factual narrative

On May 23, 1994, at approximately 1200 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18-150, N99PJ, collided with terrain during a takeoff attempt at Upper Olds Creek strip, near Pilot Point, Alaska.  The private pilot, a certified Alaska big- game guide, was the sole occupant and was not injured.  No flight plan was filed for the local flight for business purposes.  Visual meteorological conditions existed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.

The pilot told the NTSB that he had landed at the strip to check on four client hunters. During a solo takeoff, a cross wind "picked up the planes wing" and the plane pivoted about its left wing. The event resulted in the separation of the plane's left main wheel mount, and substantial damage to the plane's left wing and rudder.

In a statement (attached) the pilot said that during the takeoff run, a small bump in the runway and a left cross wind brought the airplane's left wing up and the aircraft became uncontrollable despite aileron and rudder input in the opposite direction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99PJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99PJ), registered now, S/N 18-7509141 (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: 18-7509141
- Airframe hours: 1276
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-150 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Gary Larose, doing business as Gary Larose, Guide
- Registered owner: Gary R. Larose
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1993, 75 hours before
- Airport: Upper Olds Creek Strip, runway 27, 600 × 40 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,500 total, 150 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °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 19940523017999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940523017999A), May 23, 1994: Piper PA18150, Pilot Point, AK, Substantial damage. Hit a bump on crosswind takeoff from remote strip. Wing hit runway cartwheeling the aircraft.

## Other investigations on N99PJ (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 ANC84LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA106), Jun 28, 1984: Piper PA-18-150 (N99PJ), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage

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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