# NTSB ANC98TA128: Piper PA-18, N74996, Fairbanks, AK, August 21, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: August 21, 1998, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.929969, -146.61058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.9300&lon=-146.6106&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): 43883 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98TA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43883/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98TA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, and his delay in aborting the takeoff. Factors in the accident were a short runway area for takeoff, trees located at the end of the runway, and the pilot's excessive application of brakes. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - short field takeoff/procedure - initiated, pilot in command - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot was conducting a public use flight in a remote area to inspect a small airstrip used by hunters. The airstrip was oriented north/south, and was about 650 feet long. During a landing at the airstrip, the pilot said the wind was from the south about 18 knots. After inspecting the airstrip, the pilot prepared to depart toward the south. The pilot reported that several trees, about 20 feet tall, were located at the south end of the airstrip. The pilot began a takeoff, and about halfway down the airstrip, he lowered the flaps. The airplane momentarily became airborne, but the pilot said he recognized the airplane was not going to clear the trees. He then raised the flaps, and applied heavy braking when the airplane again touched down. The airplane nosed over at the end of the airstrip. The airplane received damage to the propeller, tail assembly, and the fuselage. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 1998, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N74996, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff from a remote airstrip, about 35 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fairbanks, on a public use mission. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 22, 1998, at 1145, the pilot reported he was inspecting a small airstrip used by area hunters. He said the airstrip is oriented north/south, and is about 600 to 700 feet long. When he landed at the airstrip, he said the wind was from the south about 18 knots. After inspecting the airstrip, he prepared to depart toward the south. He said that several trees, about 20 feet tall, were located at the south end of the airstrip. He began to takeoff, and about halfway down the airstrip, he said he lowered the flaps. The airplane momentarily became airborne, but he recognized the airplane was not going to clear the trees. He then raised the flaps, and applied heavy braking when the airplane again touched down. The pilot said the airplane nosed over at the end of the airstrip, and received damage to the propeller, tail assembly, and the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74996](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74996), registered now, S/N 18-7509112, built 1975 (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: 18-75-09112 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Registered owner: U.S. Dept. Fish And Wildlife - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FAI - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: runway 18, 650 × ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,266 total, 480 in this make and model, 1,195 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 18 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast - 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 19980821027129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980821027129A), Aug 21, 1998: Piper PA18150, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The certificated commercial pilot was conducting a public use flight in a remote area to inspect a small airstrip used by hunters. The airstrip was… 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.