- Date
- September 1, 1998, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place
- Anchorage, AK
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N7279KPiper PA-18-150
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 16, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- FAA report
- 19980901022529A
- Case key
- 43877
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for takeoff. A factor associated with the accident is the pilot's premature liftoff.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff from a remote, off-airport site. He estimated his takeoff site to be 500 feet long. He related that the airplane became airborne after approximately 300 feet of ground roll, but soon settled to the ground, and drifted to the left into undergrowth. The airplane subsequently encountered rough terrain, and nosed over. The pilot noted there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.
Factual narrative
On September 1, 1998, about 0900, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N7279K, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during an attempted takeoff from a remote, off airport site located about 22 miles northwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The intended destination was Lake Hood Airstrip, Anchorage.
The pilot reported he had flown to the accident site the day before to hunt ducks. He said he was utilizing an unimproved site about 500 feet in length for takeoff and landing. On the accident takeoff, he indicated he was attempting to takeoff to the north, and he estimated the wind to be from the east about 6 to 8 mph. During the takeoff roll, the airplane became airborne after about 300 feet, but soon settled to the ground, drifted to the left, and went into the adjacent undergrowth. The airplane subsequently encountered rough terrain, and nosed over.
The pilot reported there was no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N7279K
- Reported as
- Piper PA-18-150
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18-187
- Airframe hours
- 3,446
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- David E. Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 2, 1998 · 90 hours before
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 40
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 112 total · 41 in this make and model · 50 as pilot in command · 35 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 43 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.