# NTSB ANC96LA089: Piper PA-18, N8796D, Nikiski, AK, June 16, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 1996, 12:30 local (20:30 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: [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): 2851 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2851/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's premature lift-off during the takeoff roll. The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff was a factor in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause) - Nose down, takeoff ## Analysis The pilot was departing a remote landing area in a tundra tire equipped airplane. He had visited the area many times in the past. The takeoff area was about 800 feet long and contained some areas of about 3-feet high grass. The takeoff area also contained areas of soft terrain and water. During the takeoff run, the airplane became airborne momentarily and then settled back to the surface. The right main landing gear tire struck a stump and the left wing contacted the ground. The airplane then nosed down in the soft terrain. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 1996, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18, N8796D, crashed during takeoff from a remote area, about 16 miles west of Nikiski, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. On June 16, 1996, at 2030, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he had been fishing in the area of Trading Bay, Alaska, and was departing a landing area that he had visited many times in the past. The takeoff area was about 800 feet long and contained some areas of about 3 feet high grass. The takeoff area also contained areas of soft terrain and water. During the takeoff run, the airplane became airborne momentarily and then settled back to the surface. The right main landing gear tire struck a stump and the left wing contacted the ground. The airplane then nosed down in the soft terrain. It received damage to the propeller, left wing tip, and left aileron. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8796D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8796D), registered now, S/N 18-6341, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-6341 - Airframe hours: 1390 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert L. Nance - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1996, 72 hours before - Destination: Z41, ANCHORAGE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,910 total, 1,355 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 50 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 19960616014209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960616014209A), Jun 16, 1996: Piper PA18A150, Nikiski, AK, Substantial damage. Tried depart short tallgrass strip. Pot holes water. Settled on liftoff. Struck stump. Nosed down in soft ground. 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.