# NTSB ANC95LA057: Piper PA-18-160, N91248, Hope, AK, May 22, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 22, 1995, 09:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Hope, AK - Coordinates: 60.840877, -149.4001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8409&lon=-149.4001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2650 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2650/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA057 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE THE TREES BORDERING THE RUNWAY, AND A DOWNDRAFT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT SOON AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND THE LEFT WING CONTACTED TREES ABOUT 30 TO 50 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. THE PILOT MANEUVERED TO AVOID OTHER TREES AND THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE GROUND, COLLAPSING THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR AND STRIKING THE PROPELLER AND RIGHT WINGTIP. THE PILOT STATED HE BELIEVED HE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT FROM THE RIGHT DURING TAKEOFF. ## Factual narrative On May 22, 1995, about 0920 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N91248, crashed during takeoff at the Hope airstrip, Hope, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, received substantial damage. The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that he was departing runway 34 after a series of touch-and-go landings. He stated that soon after takeoff, the airplane drifted to the left. The left wingtip contacted alder trees at 30-50 feet above ground level. The pilot maneuvered to avoid striking other trees, and reduced the power to idle as the aircraft contacted the ground. When the airplane contacted the ground, the right landing gear collapsed and the prop and right wingtip struck the ground. The airplane travelled about 60 feet along the ground and stopped with the nose heading east. The pilot stated that he believed he encountered a downdraft from the east during takeoff. Maintenance personnel reported that the airplane received rib damage to the right wing. The pilot indicated that the wind conditions were two to five knots from the north. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91248](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91248), registered now, S/N 18-8209014, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-160 - 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: 18-8209014 - Airframe hours: 885 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Raymond Davis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 1995, 7 hours before - Departed: 5HO - Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK - Airport: 5HO, Hope, runway 34, 2,000 × 75 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 12,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 10,400 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19950522012329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950522012329A), May 22, 1995: Piper PA18150, Hope, AK, Substantial damage. Drifted on climbout. Wing struck alder trees. Ground impact collapsed gear bent wing. Blamed downdraft. ## Other investigations on N91248 (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 ANC90LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA114), Jul 8, 1990: Piper PA-18-150 (N91248), Dillingham, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. 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.