# NTSB ANC96LA080: Piper PA-18, N83616, Kivalina, AK, May 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 1996, 04:00 local (12:00 UTC) - Place: Kivalina, AK - Coordinates: 67.730102, -164.550399 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.7301&lon=-164.5504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2845 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2845/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA080 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll the airplane's right wheel hit a hole. He heard the propeller strike a rock. He continued the takeoff and after liftoff the airplane began to vibrate. He reduced the engine power to idle position, and was forced to land in the river. The airplane became submerged in the water and nosed over. The pilot examined the propeller and saw approximately 3 inches missing from one blade. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 1996, approximately 0400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N83616, registered to and operated by the pilot, crashed after takeoff into the Kivalina river, 15 miles upstream from Kivalina, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91 was departing the location of the accident and the destination was Kotzebue, Alaska. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. During a telephone interview with the pilot on May 28, 1996, he stated that he was taking off when the right wheel hit a hole in the ground. He heard the propeller strike a rock. He completed his takeoff and after liftoff the airplane began to vibrate. He was forced to land in the river and nosed over. He examined the propeller after he exited the airplane and saw approximately 3 inches of one propeller blade missing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - propeller system/accessories,blade - dynamic imbalance (cause) - Nose over, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - water ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83616](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83616), registered now, S/N 18-7709102 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-N09102 - Airframe hours: 1175 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert J Veazie - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 1996, 15 hours before - Departed: KIVALINA RIVER, AK - Destination: OTZ, KOTZEBUE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,000 total, 1,300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - 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 19960524011629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960524011629A), May 24, 1996: Piper PA18150, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. Wheel hit a hole on takeoff. Prop hit ground. Vibration on climb. Landed in river. Nosed over. 3 inch blade missing From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.