# NTSB ANC95LA128: Piper PA-18, N339T, Circle, AK, August 4, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 1995, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Circle, AK - Coordinates: 65.790756, -144.200057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.7908&lon=-144.2001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2708 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2708/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA128 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF DURING TAKEOFF. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - lowering of flaps - selected, pilot in command - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE DEPARTING A REMOTE GRAVEL BAR ALONG THE BANKS OF A RIVER. THE PILOT HAD LANDED ON THE SAME SECTION OF THE RIVER NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST. THE STRIP WAS ABOUT 650 FEET LONG AND WATER WAS PRESENT AT BOTH ENDS OF THE AREA. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER FOR TAKEOFF AND AFTER ROLLING ABOUT 300 FEET, THE AIRPLANE BECAME LIGHT. AFTER ABOUT 400 FEET OF DEPARTURE ROLL, THE PILOT ADDED FLAPS. THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF BUT THEN SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND AND BOUNCED OFF AN OPEN SECTION OF WATER. THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK A LOG AND THE RIGHT WINGTIP CONTACTED A SMALL RIVER BANK. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST FACING 180 DEGREES FROM THE DEPARTURE HEADING. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 1994, about 1330 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18, N339T, collided with terrain during takeoff about 30 miles northeast of Circle, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Circle when the accident occurred. The airplane operated by the pilot, received substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and the sole passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that he landed on a remote gravel bar along the banks of the Little Black River the day before the accident. He indicated that he had landed on the same section of the river numerous times in the past. The strip was about 650 feet long and water was present at both ends of the area. The pilot indicated that he applied full power for takeoff on a heading of about 200 degrees. After rolling about 300 feet, the airplane became light and after approximately 400 feet of departure roll, he added flaps. The airplane lifted off but then settled back to the ground and bounced off an open section of water. The airplane's right main landing gear struck a log and the right wingtip contacted a small river bank. The airplane came to rest facing 180 degrees from the departure heading. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N339T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N339T), registered now, S/N 18-2453, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18 105](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105) (registry code 7101809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2453 - Airframe hours: 4753 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ingo Brigmann - Registered owner: Ingo Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1995, 32 hours before - Destination: K03, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 655 total, 550 in this make and model, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 1 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F ## Other investigations on N339T (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 ANC03LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA041), Apr 14, 2003: Piper PA-18 (N339T), Cantwell, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area in deep snow, which resulted in the nose over of the airplane on touchdown. A factor associated with the accident was a snow-covered airstrip. - [NTSB ANC97LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA118), Aug 9, 1997: Piper PA-18 (N339T), Circle, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot, and his selection of a landing area with high vegetation in the landing path. Factors which contributed to the accident were fatigue and the high… - [NTSB ANC89LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA166), Sep 11, 1989: Piper PA-18 (N339T), Circle City, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. - [NTSB CHI66F0076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66F0076), Jun 19, 1965: Piper PA-18 (N339T), Warsaw, IN, 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.