# NTSB GAA18CA494: Piper PA18, N9884D, Gilliam Glacier, AK, August 12, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 12, 2018, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Gilliam Glacier, AK - Coordinates: 63.699722, -147.126388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6997&lon=-147.1264&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98095 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA494 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98095/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98095 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA494 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to take off in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-18-150, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the weather conditions were "gusty winds with intermittent rain" and that a quartering headwind existed at the airstrip. During initial climb, a wind gust forced the airplane back into ground effect, and another gust forced the airplane back onto the airstrip. The right main landing gear collapsed, the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was variable at 5 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had waited for "calmer conditions." ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that the weather conditions were "gusty winds with intermittent rain," and the wind was a quartering headwind at the remote airstrip. During takeoff initial climb, a "gust of wind" forced the airplane back into ground effect and an additional gust forced the airplane back onto the airstrip. The right main landing gear collapsed, the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The nearest automated weather observation station located at an airport 41 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about 30 minutes prior the accident, the wind was from 170° true at 34 knots, gusting 45 knots. The pilot reported the wind was variable, 5 knots, gusting 22 knots. The pilot departed to the north. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had waited for "calmer conditions." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9884D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9884D), registered now, S/N 18-6905 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA18 (150) - 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: 18-6905 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 3553.2 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 27, 2017 - Departed: Gilliam Glacier, AK - Destination: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 10, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 613 total, 575 in this make and model, 563 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 16 knots, gusting 34 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.64 inHg - Observed at: PABI, 41 nm away ## 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 20180812010989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180812010989A), Aug 12, 2018: Piper PA-18-150, Delta Junction, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to take off in gusty wind conditions. When the plane cleared ground effect and the terrain that was blocking the strongest gusts, the plane… ## Other investigations on N9884D (2) 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 MKC75AK028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75AK028), Nov 25, 1974: Piper PA-18A (N9884D), Newell, SD, destroyed, 1 fatal - [NTSB MKC67D0345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67D0345), Dec 4, 1966: Piper PA-18 (N9884D), Kadoka, SD, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98095. 999 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 839 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476779&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476780&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.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. --- 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.