# NTSB ANC95TA068: Piper PA-18-160, N2400S, Tyonek, AK, June 4, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: June 4, 1995, 09:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Tyonek, AK - Coordinates: 61.079017, -151.160018 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0790&lon=-151.1600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2749 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95TA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2749/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95TA068 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING/TAKEOFF. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE THE LONG AND WET GRASS COVERING THE UNIMPROVED TAKEOFF AREA. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run - Nose down, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis THE ALASKA STATE TROOPER PILOT LANDED AT AN OFF AIRPORT SITE ADJACENT TO A RIVER TO APPREHEND AN APPARENT VIOLATOR OF THE STATE'S FISH AND GAME LAWS. THE LANDING SITE WAS COVERED WITH LONG GRASS AND POCKETS OF WATER. FOLLOWING THE ENFORCEMENT ACTION, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM THE APPROXIMATELY 1,200' LONG 'STRIP'. THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO BECOME AIRBORNE PRIOR TO REACHING AN AREA OF TALLER GRASS AND DEEPER WATER, AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY GROUND-LOOPED AND NOSED DOWN. NO PRETAKEOFF MECHANICAL ANOMALIES WERE CLAIMED OR DISCOVERED. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 1995, about 0945 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N2400S, received substantial damage while attempting to takeoff from an off airport site near the Theodore River, located approximately 15 miles north of Tyonek, Alaska. The Alaska State Trooper commercial certificated pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed. The purpose of the public use flight was for enforcement of the State of Alaska's Fish and Game Regulations. The pilot said he landed the airplane after he observed what he believed was illegal activity next to the Theodore River. He said after his enforcement action, he attempted to takeoff from the unimproved, wet and grass covered 1,200' long strip. A soft field takeoff was initiated, but the airplane did not become airborne prior to entering an area of deeper water and taller vegetation. The pilot said the airplane did not have sufficient flying speed, and he aborted the takeoff. During the ensuing period of deceleration, the airplane ground looped approximately one-quarter of a turn to the right and nosed down. The pilot indicated that he was not aware of any preimpact mechanical anomaly with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2400S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2400S), registered now, S/N 18-7909144 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7909144 - Airframe hours: 2325 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Registered owner: State Of Alaska - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 1994, 48 hours before - Destination: Z41, ANCHORAGE, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 270 total, 59 in this make and model, 192 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots, gusting 8 - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 50 °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 19950604039789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950604039789A), Jun 4, 1995: Piper PA18150, Tyonek, AK, Substantial damage. Fish and game flight. Tried depart remote strip. Unable accelerate in soft ground. Aborted. Ground looped. Public. 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.