# NTSB ANC95LA021: Piper PA-18, N5285J, Juneau, AK, December 17, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 17, 1994, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Juneau, AK - Coordinates: 58.57978, -134.770568 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.5798&lon=-134.7706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 31, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2618/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA021 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - high vegetation - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5285J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5285J), registered now, S/N 18-7143, built 1959 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1743 - Airframe hours: 7883 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Campbell, George R. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1994, 200 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,890 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 36 °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 19941217041719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941217041719A), Dec 17, 1994: Piper PA18150, Juneau, AK, Substantial damage. Tried to depart a 500 ft beach area at gross weight. Ran into bushes just prior to rotation. ## Other investigations on N5285J (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 ANC94LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA012), Oct 5, 1993: Piper PA-18 (N5285J), Haines, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: FATIGUE FAILURE IN A WELD ON THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR OLEO STRUT TUBING. 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.