# NTSB ANC96LA133: Piper PA-18, N4393Z, Tyonek, AK, September 1, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 1996 - Place: Tyonek, AK - Coordinates: 61.080139, -151.159057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0801&lon=-151.1591&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2888 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2888/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA133 ## Probable cause the pilot's premature liftoff and subsequent inadvertent stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The pilot landed the airplane at an off airport landing site. He attempt to take off from the area during the hours of dusk. He stated the airplane's tail lifted off the ground during the takeoff roll, and then the airplane lifted off prematurely. After becoming airborne, the airplane drifted to the right, then the left wing struck muskeg, and the airplane settled into brush. The pilot stated he tried to stop the drift by applying full left rudder and full left aileron. The pilot also stated he felt the airplane's right wing stalled. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 1996, at 2400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4393Z, registered to Allen Douglas Hulen, of Anchorage, Alaska, and operated by the pilot, crashed during takeoff from an off airport site adjacent to the Theodore River, located near Tyonek, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing during dusk, and the destination was Anchorage, Alaska. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated private pilot and the passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. During a telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that he was taking off from a road near the Theodore River. The airplane became airborne prematurely and drifted off the right side of the road. He was unable to stop the drift, despite the application of full left aileron and rudder. The left wing struck the muskeg and the airplane settled into the brush. He stated that the airplane was not ready to fly, and believes the right wing stalled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4393Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4393Z), registered now, S/N 18-8724, built 1968 (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 0-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-series) (registry code 41499, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-8724 - Airframe hours: 2784 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Allen Darrell Hulen - Registered owner: Allen Douglas Hulen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1995 - Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 286 total, 120 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 150° at 2 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 19960901025559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960901025559A), Sep 1, 1996: Piper PA18150, Tyonek, AK, Substantial damage. Premature takeoff on road. Stalled and mushed into brush. ## Other investigations on N4393Z (1) 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 WPR18FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA026), Nov 3, 2017: Piper PA 18-150 (N4393Z), Murphy, ID, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: Failure of the left aileron control cable that resulted in a loss of aircraft control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance inspections to the aileron cable… 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.