# NTSB ANC99LA136: Piper PA-18, N9130D, Cordova, AK, September 2, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 1999, 20:30 local (Sep 2, 1999, 04:30 UTC) - Place: Cordova, AK - Coordinates: 60.790222, -145.609298 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7902&lon=-145.6093&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 47330 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47330/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA136 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to avoid obstructions during takeoff. A factor associated with this accident was the high brush along the river bank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - not performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis During takeoff from an off airport river bank on a flight to spot moose, the airplane's left wingtip contacted tall brush. The airplane spun around, and the right wing and right main landing gear attachment sustained substantial damage. The private pilot said the winds were light and variable. He indicated to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he had landed and taken off from the same site on previous occasions, but failed to avoid contacting the brush during this takeoff. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 1999, about 2030 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N9130D, sustained substantial damage when it contacted brush during the takeoff roll from a riverbank on Clear Creek, at 60 degrees 32 minutes north latitude, 144 degrees 46 minutes west longitude, about 38 miles east of Cordova, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight to spot moose. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) during a telephone interview on September 13, and in his Pilot/Operator report, that during the takeoff roll, the left wing contacted brush located on the edge of the river, and the airplane spun around. The right wing sustained substantial damage, and the right main landing gear collapsed. He indicated the winds were light and variable. The pilot said he had operated from the same area previously, but did not avoid striking willows during this takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9130D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9130D), registered now, S/N 18-6511, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-6511 - Airframe hours: 4407 - Engines: Lycoming C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alvin B. Fulton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1999, 12 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,200 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 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 19990901046699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990901046699A), Sep 1, 1999: Piper PA18, Cordova, AK, No damage. (-23) On September 1, 1999, at approximately 1900 local time, alvin fulton acting as pilot in command of a PA-18, attempted a takeoff from a riverbank near… ## Other investigations on N9130D (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 ANC79DAG99](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DAG99), Aug 27, 1979: Piper PA-18 (N9130D), Valdez, 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.