# NTSB ANC99LA113: Piper PA-18, N1386A, Anchorage, AK, August 14, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 1999, 17:05 local (Aug 14, 1999, 01:05 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.219493, -149.849502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2195&lon=-149.8495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 47159 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47159/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA113 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff. A factor was a crosswind, and an inadvertent ground loop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was beginning a cross-country flight on runway 32. The pilot said a left crosswind condition existed, and during the takeoff roll, he utilized 2 notches of flaps. During the takeoff, the left wing began to rise, and the airplane veered to the right. The airplane ground looped to the right, and the left wing struck the runway, receiving spar damage. The wind condition at the airport was 215 degrees (magnetic) at 7 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 1999, about 1705 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1386A, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed for Igiugig, Alaska, but not activated. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 16, 1999, the pilot reported he was beginning a takeoff roll on runway 32. He said a left crosswind condition existed at the time. He utilized 2 notches of flaps for the takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the left wing began to rise, and the airplane veered to the right. The airplane ground looped to the right, and the left wing struck the runway. The pilot said the left wing received spar damage. At 1718, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR), Anchorage International Airport, was reporting in part: Wind, 215 degrees (magnetic) at 7 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, few at 2,000 feet; temperature, 64 degrees F; dew point, 51 degrees F; altimeter, 29.84 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1386A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1386A), registered now, S/N 18-1219, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1219 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James T. Ables - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1999, 0 hours before - Destination: IGG, IGIUGIG, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PANC, Anchorage International, runway 32, 10,496 × 150 ft, asphalt ## 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: 625 total, 625 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 215° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19990813012039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990813012039A), Aug 13, 1999: Piper PA18125, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (Tty) acft ground looped on takeoff. (.19) on August 13, 1999, about 1705 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1386A, sustained… ## Other investigations on N1386A (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 ANC18CA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18CA017), Nov 29, 2017: Piper PA 18-125 (N1386A), Nikolai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper decision to contact an unsuitable landing surface, which resulted in a nose-over. - [NTSB ANC03LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA124), Sep 23, 2003: Piper PA-18-150 (N1386A), Tanana, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll, which resulted in an overrun and nose down. Factors contributing to the accident were gusty winds, and restricted aileron… - [NTSB ANC97LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA091), Jun 26, 1997: Piper PA-18 (N1386A), Chugiak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: water contamination in the fuel, the second pilot's inadequate preflight/preparation to ensure all water was drained from the airplane fuel tanks, and inadequate supervision by the first pilot (CFI).… 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.