# NTSB ANC99LA067: Piper PA-18, N8570C, Port Alsworth, AK, May 30, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 1999, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Port Alsworth, AK - Coordinates: 60.199283, -154.280914 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1993&lon=-154.2809&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46530 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46530/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA067 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind. A factor associated with the accident is a crosswind. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The private pilot was attempting a southerly departure from a 3,000 feet long gravel airstrip, in a tundra tire equipped, tailwheel airplane. He stated that during the takeoff roll, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer to the left. He applied full right aileron and right rudder, but the airplane continued to veer left. The left wing struck a stand of trees, and pivoted about 90 degrees to the left. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, and fuselage. The closest official weather observation station is Port Alsworth. On May 30, at 1548, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 209 (magnetic) degrees at 11 knots; visibility, 30 statute miles; clouds, 4,000 feet broken, 8,000 feet broken; temperature, 50 degrees F; dew point, 41 degrees F; altimeter, 29.75 inHg. ## Factual narrative On May 30, 1999, about 1545 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8570C, received substantial damage during takeoff from the Port Alsworth Airstrip, Port Alsworth, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot, and the one passenger aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1340. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 1, the pilot reported that he was attempting a southerly departure from a 3,000 feet long gravel strip. He stated that during the takeoff roll, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer to the left. He applied full right aileron and right rudder, but the airplane continued to veer left. The left wing struck a stand of trees, and pivoted about 90 degrees to the left. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, and fuselage. The closest official weather observation station is Port Alsworth. On May 30, at 1548, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 209 degrees (magnetic) at 11 knots; visibility, 30 statute miles; clouds, 4,000 feet broken, 8,000 feet broken; temperature, 50 degrees F; dew point, 41 degrees F; altimeter, 29.75 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8570C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8570C), registered now, S/N 18-2722, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2722 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 lbs thrust reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James T. Ables - Registered owner: Neal B. Burleson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: IGG, IGIUGIG, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: Port Alsworth, runway 18, 3,000 × ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 618 total, 5 in this make and model, 618 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 209° at 11 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PAL ## 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 19990530006129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990530006129A), May 30, 1999: Piper PA18, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. Crashed on takeoff. (.19) on may 30, 1999, about 1545 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8570C, received substantial damage… ## Other investigations on N8570C (1) 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 ANC95LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA070), Jun 10, 1995: Piper PA-18 (N8570C), Nikiski, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF AND SUBSEQUENT INADVERTENT STALL. 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.