# NTSB ANC96LA094: Piper PA-18, N57617, Cantwell, AK, July 3, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 1996, 15:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Cantwell, AK - Coordinates: 63.009918, -149.40007 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0099&lon=-149.4001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2856 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2856/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA094 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. A factor in the accident was the crosswind. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger were departing a remote and sandy area in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. The pilot had utilized the area many times in the past. The takeoff area is about 1,940 feet mean sea level and the temperature was about 70 degrees F. Variable wind conditions were blowing from the left side of the takeoff area with gusts of 25 knots. During the takeoff roll, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right into several alder trees. The airplane then ground looped and received damage to the left wing spar and left aileron. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 1996, about 1550 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18, N57617, collided with several trees during the takeoff roll from a small sand bar located at mile post 185.9 of the Parks Highway, about 20 miles south of Cantwell, 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, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The Alaska State Troopers reported that the pilot landed to clean up an area along the highway that is used for an archery range. The pilot indicated to a trooper that the weather was very warm and during the take off, the airplane did not become airborne and struck several alder trees located at the end of the takeoff area. On July 5, 1996, at 1145, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that he has landed on a sandy area at the accident site many times in the past. The pilot indicated that the elevation of the takeoff area is about 1,940 feet mean sea level and the temperature was about 70 degrees F. He also reported that variable wind conditions were blowing from the left side of the takeoff area with gusts of 25 knots. During the takeoff, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right, into several alder trees. The airplane then ground looped and received damage to the left wing spar and left aileron. The closest weather observation site is Talkeetna, Alaska, located about 50 miles south of the accident site. A 1550 surface weather observation was reporting, in part: Sky condition and ceiling; 5,000 feet scattered, 25,000 feet scattered; visibility, 30 miles; temperature, 77 degrees F; wind, 310 degrees at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57617](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57617), registered now, S/N 18-7709125, built 1977 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7709125 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jimmy L. Harkins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: BCV, BIRCHWOOD, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: front; flight hours: 5,800 total, 5,300 in this make and model, 5,700 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F - Observed at: TKN, 50 nm away ## 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 19960703020009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960703020009A), Jul 3, 1996: Piper PA18150, Cantwell, AK, Substantial damage. Crosswind gust caused plane to veer off sandy strip into alder trees. Ground looped. (From .4) the pilot and passenger were departing a remote and sandy area… ## Other investigations on N57617 (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 ANC25LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA033), Apr 9, 2025: Piper PA-18-150 (N57617), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane was not attaining sufficient airspeed for takeoff and subsequently departed the end of the lake and collided with terrain. - [NTSB ANC84LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA161), Sep 1, 1984: Piper PA-18-150 (N57617), Slana, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC82DAG19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG19), Apr 30, 1982: Piper PA-18-150 (N57617), Birchwood, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC81DAG61](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG61), Jul 24, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N57617), Kenai, AK, 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.