# NTSB ANC98LA077: Piper PA-18-160, N3684Z, Anchorage, AK, June 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 1998, 17:30 local (Jun 18, 1998, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.159423, -149.989562 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1594&lon=-149.9896&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 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3162 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3162/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA077 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to correct engine/propeller torque and P factor, and the subsequent loss of directional control during the takeoff roll. Factors associated with the accident are the narrow, confined, takeoff area, and bordering high vegetation. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - torque/p-factor - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - congested/confined area (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported she was attempting to takeoff from a narrow, remote, airstrip bordered by willows and brush. She said she lost directional control during the takeoff roll, and the left wing struck willows alongside the airstrip. The airplane subsequently went into the willows and brush, and received substantial damage. The pilot told an NTSB investigator the cause of the accident was '...pilot error; I didn't use enough right rudder, and the torque got me.' ## Factual narrative On June 17, 1998, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N3684Z, sustained substantial damage during a takeoff attempt from a private airstrip located adjacent to Alexander Creek, Alaska, which is approximately 35 miles northwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The private pilot/airplane owner and the one passenger aboard, the pilot's daughter, reported no injuries. The Title 14, CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed. The intended destination was Talkeetna, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on June 18 at 1330, the pilot related she was attempting to takeoff from a narrow, private airstrip known locally as Roy's Airstrip. She said the airstrip is closely bordered by willows and other small trees. During the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left, and collided with brush. The pilot said the collision pulled the airplane further off the runway, and deeper into the brush. She said there were no preaccident mechanical difficulties with the airplane, and that the cause of the accident was "...pilot error; I didn't use enough right rudder, and the torque got me." According to the pilot, the left wing's rear lift strut was damaged and needed replacement, and both wings were dented, with possible damage to internal wing ribs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3684Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3684Z), registered now, S/N 18-7416, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-160 - 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: 18-7416 - Airframe hours: 2521 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Flora A. Robinson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1998, 8 hours before - Destination: TKA, TALKEETNA, AK - Airport: Roy'S Strip, runway 18, 1,000 × 30 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 300 total, 155 in this make and model, 265 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19980617014239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980617014239A), Jun 17, 1998: Piper PA18150, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (.4) On June 17, 1998, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N3684Z, sustained substantial damage during a takeoff… ## Other investigations on N3684Z (3) 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 ANC85LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA106), Jun 21, 1985: Piper PA-18 (N3684Z), King Salmon, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA67D0076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67D0076), May 27, 1966: Piper PA-18 (N3684Z), Billings, MT, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA66D0203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA66D0203), Dec 26, 1965: Piper PA-18 (N3684Z), Billings, MT, 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.