# NTSB GAA19CA348: Piper PA18, N2765A, Fairbanks, AK, June 16, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 16, 2019, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.93, -148.839996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.9300&lon=-148.8400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 29, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99645 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA348 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99645/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99645 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA348 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction's premature pitch control input during takeoff, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight school owner reported that, while the pilot receiving instruction was taking off from a lake, the airplane accelerated onto the step and that, just before liftoff but with the airplane still below takeoff speed, he attempted to abruptly rotate the airplane out of the water. The float's heels impacted the water, which reduced the airspeed. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and put it back onto the step. Realizing that there was insufficient water remaining to make a successful takeoff, the instructor retarded the throttle and aborted the takeoff. The airplane exited the water onto wet grass, and the right wing impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing. The owner reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor of the float equipped airplane reported that the pilot rated student completed a confined landing on a slough with minimal instructor corrections. During takeoff from the lake, the airplane accelerated onto the step, and just prior to lift off, but still below takeoff speed, the student abruptly attempted to rotate the airplane out of the water. The heels of the floats dug into the water which reduced the airspeed. The instructor took control of the airplane and put it back onto the step. Realizing that there was insufficient water remaining, the takeoff was aborted. The airplane exited the water onto wet grass and the airplane's right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2765A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2765A-2020-09-18), registration cancelled 2020-09-18, S/N 18-1824, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA18 (135) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1824 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 4974.81 - Engines: Lycoming O-290 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Proflite of Alaska, LLC - Registered owner: Alaska Tailwheel LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2018 - Departed: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 54; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 6, 2019; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,703 total, 306 in this make and model, 6,890 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 11, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 491 total, 2 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.67 inHg - Observed at: PANN, 24 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 20190616007159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190616007159A), Jun 16, 2019: Piper PA-18-135, Fairbanks, Substantial damage. Date of incident: 16 June 2019 Mishap location: minto flats approximately 25 miles west of Fairbanks Mishap aircraft 2765A Mishap instructor: mark burley #… ## Other investigations on N2765A (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 ANC94LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA004), Oct 4, 1993: Piper PA-18 (N2765A), Bear Creek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S DELAYED GO-AROUND PROCEDURE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE GO-AROUND. - [NTSB ANC77DAA29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAA29), Jun 19, 1977: Piper PA-18 (N2765A), Paxson, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC72DAG71](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC72DAG71), Sep 17, 1971: Piper PA-18 (N2765A), Glenallen, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 5, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99645. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483432&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483433&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.