# NTSB ANC96LA169: Piper PA-18-160, N2683A, Northway, AK, August 26, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 1996, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Northway, AK - Coordinates: 62.999557, -141.690307 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.9996&lon=-141.6903&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): 2915 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2915/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA169 ## Probable cause The pilot's premature lift-off. A factor associated with the accident was the rough and uneven airstrip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported he was taking off from a rough and uneven gravel and turf runway. During the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a grass clump and an uneven portion of the runway which acted like a ramp to project the airplane into the air. The airplane veered to the left, and the left wing struck a tree. The pilot was unable to maintain control, and the airplane crashed off the left side of the runway. In his report, under recommendations for how the accident could have been avoided, the pilot cited the rough and uneven runway, and the need to keep the airplane in a level attitude until sufficient airspeed is attained. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 1996, about 1130 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N2683A, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from the Horsefelt airstrip, located about 60 miles south-southeast of Northway, Alaska. The private pilot/airplane owner and the one passenger aboard were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. The flight departed Northway about 1030, and was en route to Juneau, Alaska. A VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff to the south into a gusty and turbulent southerly wind. He also noted that the 1100 feet long, by 15 to 25 feet wide grass and gravel airstrip was rough and uneven. During the takeoff roll, he said the airplane was "projected" into the air prior to reaching flying speed when the left main landing gear tire struck a clump of grass, and a "ramp" formed by the uneven runway. The airplane veered to the left about 15 degrees, struck a small tree with the left wing, and subsequently came to rest off the airstrip. The left wing and fuselage received substantial damage. The pilot wrote in his report to the NTSB, in the section, Recommendation (How Could This Accident Been Prevented): " 1. Maintain a level attitude until positive flying speed is obtained. 2. Level and remove humps including filling in blown away depressed areas of the runway." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2683A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2683A), registered now, S/N 18-2189, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2189 - Airframe hours: 2329 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Glenn H. Cave - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1996, 27 hours before - Departed: ORT - Destination: JNU, JUNEAU, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 4Z5, Horsefelt, runway 18, 1,100 × 20 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 5,500 total, 500 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 20 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 19960826038899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960826038899A), Aug 26, 1996: Piper PA18135, Horsfeld, AK, Substantial damage. Attempted takeoff gusty wind on unimproved strip. Bounced into early liftoff. Veered off runway. Wing struck a tree 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.