ANC95LA021

The pilot reported he and one passenger had landed on a remote beach site while bear hunting. After scouting the area, the pilot attempted to takeoff from the beach where he had landed. The pilot estimated the total area available for takeoff was between 400' to 600'. The airplane failed to become airborne prior to reaching the end of the takeoff area, and collided with brush. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

On December 17, 1994, at 1030 Alaska standard time, a wheel/ski equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N5285J, registered to and operated by the pilot-in-command, collided with terrain during takeoff from a beach one mile south of Pack Creek near Seymore Channel approximately 30 miles south of Juneau, Alaska. The pilot and his passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The destination of the pleasure flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 for big game hunting purposes, was Juneau. The pilot reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed and that his wife was aware of the flight itinerary.

On the morning of December 19, 1994, the NTSB investigator- in-charge conducted a telephone interview with the pilot. The pilot said that between 400 feet and 500 feet of beach area was available for the takeoff run and that the plane normally required only about 250 feet to become airborne. The weight of the airplane was right at the maximum gross weight. The takeoff was initiated using full engine power and 40 degrees of flap. The plane accelerated normally but did not want to become airborne. The plane's right wing collided with brush at the end of the takeoff area just as the airplane appeared to want to fly.

The plane spun to the right 270 degrees with resultant damage to the fuselage and both wings.

The pilot indicated in his written report to the NTSB that there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane during the takeoff attempt.