# NTSB ANC94LA081: Piper PA-18-150, N1257, Newtok, AK, July 13, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1994, 22:15 local (Jul 13, 1994, 06:15 UTC)
- Place: Newtok, AK
- Coordinates: 60.810863, -161.850662 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8109&lon=-161.8507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2521/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA081

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER NEEDED TO MAKE A 'PIT STOP' AND LANDED NEAR A DEAD WALRUS.  SINCE IT WAS LATE THE PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO AN EARLIER CAMP TO RETRIEVE THEIR GEAR.  HE WAS ALONE IN THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF.  HE STATED THAT HE STARTED THE AIRPLANE'S TAKEOFF ROLL ON THE HARD TUNDRA AND TRANSITIONED TO THE BEACH SAND.  WHEN THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR ROLLED ONTO THE BEACH SAND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On July 12, 1994, at 2215 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N1257, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed over during takeoff from a sandy beach located near Newtok, Alaska.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing the sandy beach area for another point on the beach.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the Private Certificated Pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.

According to the Alaska State Trooper Report, case number 94-44531, the pilot, Richard O. Burns Jr., of Palmer, Alaska, stated they needed to make a "pit stop" and they noticed a dead walrus on the beach.  He decided to land near the walrus.  The landing was uneventful.  Since it was getting late, he decided to return to a previous encampment and collect their belongings.  He left his passenger, his father, on the beach prior to the takeoff.

The pilot stated that he had large tundra tires on the airplane's landing gear and the surface did not pose any problem during landing or taxiing.  He paced off the takeoff area and determined he had approximately 160 to 170 yards available for the takeoff run.  He taxied up onto the tundra, began his takeoff run and when the airplane's wheels rolled from the tundra onto the soft beach sand, the airplane nosed over.

This accident was originally investigated by Douglas Herlihy and was compiled and written by George Kobelnyk.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1257](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1257), registered now, S/N 18-7907, built 1963 (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: 18-7907
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Burns, Richard O.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 797 total, 700 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19940712025159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940712025159A), Jul 12, 1994: Piper PA18150, Newtok, AK, Substantial damage. Tires sank into sand during takeoff from gravel bar. Aircraft nosed over.

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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