# NTSB ANC94LA138: Piper PA-18, N8653Y, Kodiak, AK, September 13, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 1994, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Kodiak, AK - Coordinates: 57.789871, -152.399368 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.7899&lon=-152.3994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2569 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2569/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA138 ## Probable cause A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. A CROSSWIND AND ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT. ## 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 (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT AND PASSENGER OF A TUNDRA TIRE EQUIPPED TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE WERE DEPARTING A REMOTE BEACH LANDING STRIP ON A PERSONAL CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT A CROSS-WIND OF 15 KNOTS WAS BLOWING AND THE TERRAIN WAS ROUGH AND UNEVEN. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE HIT A BUMP AND BEGAN TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR STRUCK A LOG AND THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR AND RIGHT WING. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 1994, at 0930 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8653Y, owned and operated by the pilot-in-command, experienced an on ground collision with terrain during takeoff at Cape Douglas across from Kodiak Island on the Alaska Peninsula. The private certificated pilot and his one passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. At the time of the mishap, the flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot left an itinerary of his flight schedule with his wife and reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the accident. During a telephone interview on the afternoon of September 15, 1994, the pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that during a beach takeoff the right main landing gear rolled onto a rough surface depression resulting in the collapse of the landing gear and collateral damage to the right wing. The pilot indicated that a cross-wind from the south at 15 knots was blowing at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8653Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8653Y), registered now, S/N 18-7309024 (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: 18-9024 - Airframe hours: 1559 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hulbert, Ward A. - Registered owner: Hulbert, Ward A. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1994, 40 hours before - Destination: Z41, ANCHORAGE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,200 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 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 19940913027969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940913027969A), Sep 13, 1994: Piper PA18150, Kodiak, AK, Substantial damage. Collapsed right main gear during a beach takeoff. Tundra tire equipped wheel struck rough spot. Wing damaged also. ## Other investigations on N8653Y (4) 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 ANC04LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA095), Aug 13, 2004: Piper PA-18-150 (N8653Y), Soldotna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent. - [NTSB ANC88LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA097), Jul 27, 1988: Piper PA-18 (N8653Y), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC83LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA027), Dec 25, 1982: Piper PA-18-150 (N8653Y), Hope, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC82DAG31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG31), Jun 12, 1982: Piper PA-18 (N8653Y), 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. --- 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.