# NTSB ANC98LA086: Piper PA-18, N5994Z, Anchorage, AK, June 30, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 1998, 21:22 local (Jun 30, 1998, 05:22 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.15995, -149.990631 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1600&lon=-149.9906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3169/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA086 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent activation of the brakes during the takeoff roll, and subsequent loss of control. ## 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 - brakes(normal) - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot was departing a gravel airstrip with the intentions of doing a few touch-and-go landings for pilot proficiency purposes. During the takeoff roll the airplane veered to the left, and departed the runway about midfield of the 2200 feet long airstrip. The main landing gear contacted soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot said, in part: 'I applied full power for takeoff and the airplane pulled to the left and went off the runway and nosed over. I just forgot to take my feet off the brake pedals.' The pilot indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical difficulties with the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, and right wing lift strut. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 1998, about 2122 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N5994Z, sustained substantial damage when it went off the side of runway 13 during takeoff from the Lake Hood Airstrip, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a local, visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 30, the pilot reported that he intended to do a few touch-and-go landings for pilot proficiency purposes. The pilot said, in part: "I applied full power for takeoff and the airplane pulled to the left and went off the runway and nosed over. I just forgot to take my feet off the brake pedals." The pilot indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical difficulties with the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, and right wing lift strut. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5994Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5994Z), registered now, S/N 18-8252, built 1965 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-8252 - Airframe hours: 2550 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles L. Robertson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1998, 17 hours before - Airport: Z41, Lake Hood Airstrip, runway 13, 2,200 × 70 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: unknown, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 1,200 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PAN ## 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 19980629015279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980629015279A), Jun 29, 1998: Piper PA18150, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Ran off left side runway as power was applied for takeoff. Unable show medical or license. P factor not controlled. (From .4) the certificated commercial pilot… ## Other investigations on N5994Z (2) 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 ANC74DAG39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAG39), Sep 4, 1973: Piper PA-18 (N5994Z), Palmer, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC68D0003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68D0003), May 7, 1967: Piper PA-18 (N5994Z), Cordova, AK, 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.