# NTSB ANC96LA138: Piper PA-18, N1879A, Mccarthy, AK, September 1, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 1996, 20:00 local (Sep 1, 1996, 04:00 UTC) - Place: Mccarthy, AK - Coordinates: 55.919906, -159.489852 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9199&lon=-159.4899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2892 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2892/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA138 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions, and his selection of an unsuitable landing/takeoff site. A factor associated with the accident was the gusty wind. ## 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 - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - terrain condition - high vegetation - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The pilot reported he was attempting to take off from a remote ridgeline with one hunting client aboard. He said the wind was gusting from the southeast at 5 to 20 knots. During the takeoff roll, the right wing struck Alder bushes, and the airplane was pulled to the right, collapsing the left main landing gear and damaging the left wing. The pilot wrote in his report that the accident could have been avoided by not attempting to take off from the ridge in gusty wind conditions. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 1996, about 2000 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1879A, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during an attempted takeoff from an off airport site near Mc Carthy, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot and the sole passenger aboard were not injured. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 hunt/guide flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. The flight last departed the Ultima Thule Lodge, located on the Chitina River, about 1830. The pilot of the airplane is the co-owner of the Ultima Thule Lodge. The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff from a ridge in gusty wind conditions. During the takeoff roll, the right wingtip struck adjoining brush and pulled the airplane sideways. The left wing subsequently hit the ground and the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot said in his written report to the NTSB the accident could have been prevented by not attempting to takeoff from the mountaintop strip in gusty wind conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1879A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1879A), registered now, S/N 18-1711 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1711 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul E. Claus - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 15,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 14,800 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 125° at 5 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °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 19960831025339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960831025339A), Aug 31, 1996: Piper PA18, Mccarthy, AK, Substantial damage. Attempt takeoff on a ridge in gusty wind. Dragged wing in brush. Veered sideways. Other wing hit. Folded left main. 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.