# NTSB ANC96LA129: Piper PA-18, N6760B, Slana, AK, August 16, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1996, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Slana, AK - Coordinates: 62.829101, -143.429977 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.8291&lon=-143.4300&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 May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2885 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2885/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA129 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. A factor associated with the accident was the rough and uneven terrain. ## 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 - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb ## Analysis The pilot reported he was attempting to take off from a remote gravel bar. During the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a hump in the runway which pushed the airplane to the left. Shortly after passing over the hump, the airplane became airborne. The left wing then collided with trees and brush, and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane subsequently went off the left side of the gravel bar and came to rest in a stand of trees and brush. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1996, about 1200 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N6760B, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during an attempted takeoff from a remote gravel bar located in the Nabesna River drainage near Slana, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 19, the pilot stated that there was a small hump, or gravel swell, in the takeoff area. He said when the airplane encountered the hump, the airplane was forced to the left, and he was unable to maintain directional control. Shortly after passing over the hump, the airplane became airborne. The left wing then collided with a tree and brush, and the airplane subsequently went off the left side of the takeoff area, coming to rest in a stand of trees and brush. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6760B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6760B), registered now, S/N 18-5035, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-5033 - Airframe hours: 4787 - Engines: Lycoming O-320A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Larry A. Vandegrift - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1995, 50 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,394 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 1,394 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - 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 19960816023159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960816023159A), Aug 16, 1996: Piper PA18A, Slana, AK, Substantial damage. Struck uneven hump on takeoff on remote strip. Became airborne to left of runway. Struck tree brush into more trees ## Other investigations on N6760B (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 ANC07CA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA042), Jun 1, 2007: Piper PA-18 (N6760B), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delay in aborting the landing, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. - [NTSB ANC00LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA131), Sep 15, 2000: Piper PA-18 (N6760B), Big Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's application of excessive braking. A factor in the accident was the installation of boosted (oversize) type master brake cylinders. - [NTSB ANC81DAG65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG65), Aug 9, 1981: Piper PA-18A (N6760B), Canyon Creek, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN74DTE65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74DTE65), Apr 6, 1974: Piper PA-18A (N6760B), Sheridan Lk, CO, 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.