# NTSB ANC95LA070: Piper PA-18, N8570C, Nikiski, AK, June 10, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 9, 1995, 17:30 local (Jun 10, 1995, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Nikiski, AK - Location: 60.6903° N, 151.2889° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nikiski, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6903&lon=-151.2889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2660 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2660/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA070 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF AND SUBSEQUENT INADVERTENT STALL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS PRACTICING BEACH TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. DURING THE ACCIDENT TAKEOFF ATTEMPT, HE SAID THE AIRPLANE HIT A BUMP ON THE BEACH AND TURNED TOWARDS THE WATER. HE SAID HE PULLED THE AIRPLANE INTO THE AIR WITH INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED, AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A STEADY FLIGHT STATE. THE AIRPLANE SOON STALLED AND CRASHED INTO THE WATER. BOTH THE PILOT AND THE SOLE PASSENGER ABOARD WERE ABLE TO SWIM TO SHORE. ## Factual narrative On June 9, 1995, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8570C, sustained substantial damage when it collided with water shortly after takeoff from a beach near Nikiski, Alaska. The private pilot and sole passenger aboard were not injured. The personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight's intended destination was Big Lake, Alaska. During an interview with the pilot on June 13, he related to the NTSB investigator in charge that he was practicing beach landings and takeoffs. On the accident takeoff, he said that the airplane hit a bump and veered towards the water. He said he applied the last notch of flap, and forced the airplane into the air at a low airspeed. Shortly after liftoff, the left wing stalled, and the pilot said he lowered the nose as far as he could to gain additional airspeed. The airplane subsequently struck the water approximately 200 feet off shore. Both occupants were able to swim to the beach unaided. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8570C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8570C), registered now, S/N 18-2722, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2722 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Neal B. Burleson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: BGQ, BIG LAKE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 750 total, 65 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 3 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19950609017309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950609017309A), Jun 9, 1995: Piper PA18135, Nikiski, AK, Substantial damage. Departing beach hit bump. Veered toward water. Pulled it off early. Wing stalled. Nosed down for speed. Hit water. ## Other investigations on N8570C (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 ANC99LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA067), May 30, 1999: Piper PA-18 (N8570C), Port Alsworth, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind. A factor associated with the accident is a crosswind. 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.