# NTSB ANC96LA071: Piper PA-18-150, N5760D, Big Lake, AK, May 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 1996, 14:35 local (22:35 UTC) - Place: Big Lake, AK - Coordinates: 61.45935, -150.089401 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4594&lon=-150.0894&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 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2841 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2841/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA071 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure (or inability) to maintain clearance from trees after encountering gusty crosswind conditions. The wind condition and close proximity of trees were related factors. ## 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 - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported he had just changed his airplane's main landing gear configuration from wheels to floats. He said he was taking off to the west from a creek which entered a large lake. He estimated the wind was from the northwest at 10 to 12 knots as he began the takeoff run. Shortly after becoming airborne, he said a gust of wind, estimated at 30 knots or more, caused the right wing to lift and turn the airplane toward trees, which lined the creek bank. The pilot was able to level the airplane's wings, but was unable to turn away from the trees. Subsequently, the airplane collided with the trees and a small boat that rested in front of a lakeside home. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 1996, about 1435 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N5760D, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during takeoff from Fish Creek, near Big Lake, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot reported he had just converted his airplane from wheels to floats, and was departing to the west, from Fish Creek towards the juncture of Fish Creek and Big Lake. He estimated the wind as 10 to 12 knots from the northwest. Shortly after liftoff, he said a wind gust estimated at 30 knots, lifted the right wing and caused the airplane to turn left, toward adjacent trees. He said he was unable to correct quickly enough to avoid the trees, and the airplane subsequently struck trees located in front of a lakeside residence. The pilot said a small boat located near the crash site also received some damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5760D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5760D), registered now, S/N 18-5262, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150 - 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: 18-5262 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A1 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John W. Reed - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; seat: front; flight hours: 2,200 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 12 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °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 19960514010449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960514010449A), May 14, 1996: Piper PA18150, Big Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Float plane struck trees on takeoff from lake. Reported severe wind gust turned plane into trees on shore. ## Other investigations on N5760D (2) 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 ANC05LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05LA001), Oct 8, 2004: Piper PA-18-150 (N5760D), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate and unapproved design of the main landing gear assembly by the manufacturer, which resulted in a failure of the main landing gear during landing, and structural damage to the airplane.… - [NTSB MKC70FDD13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70FDD13), May 16, 1970: Piper PA-18 (N5760D), Laporte, MN, 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.