# NTSB CEN22LA417: Piper PA-18-105 Special, N303T, Delta Junction, AK, September 9, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 9, 2022, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Delta Junction, AK
- Coordinates: 63.425367, -145.74469 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.4254&lon=-145.7447&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA417
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105918/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105918
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA417

## Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to depart during high, gusty wind conditions which resulted sink and subsequent impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot planned to depart from a 2,250 ft turf/gravel runway with expected wind conditions of 5 to 10 knots. After he arrived to the airplane, the pilot observed high wind conditions, with gusts to 40 knots. The pilot elected to depart and as the airplane passed over trees during the initial climb, he noticed high, gusty wind conditions, which he made full control inputs to counter. The airplane entered into sink and it subsequently impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation, and that he should have delayed the departure based on the high wind conditions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N303T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N303T), registered now, S/N 18-2417, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-105 SPECIAL
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-2417
- Year built: 1953
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft - federal, Public use
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 5BK, Black Rapids, AK
- Destination: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK
- Airport: n/a
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 15, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,200 total, 120 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.58 inHg
- Turbulence: Moderate

## Other investigations on N303T (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 ANC24LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA101), Apr 15, 2024: Piper PA-18-105 Special (N303T), Big Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle during takeoff.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 27, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105918. 3.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14537637&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo of airplane at accident site (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14537227&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo_Redacted-Rel.pdf

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.

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