# NTSB GAA19CA521: Piper PA18, N655HE, Beluga, AK, September 2, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2019, 16:20 local (Sep 2, 2019, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Beluga, AK - Coordinates: 61.229442, -151.769165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2294&lon=-151.7692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100187 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA521 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100187/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100187 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA521 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate climb rate during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18AS-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=7101816), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/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-18AS-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101816), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-18AS-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101816), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-18AS-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7101816), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18AS-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7101816), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-18AS-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7101816), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18AS-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101816), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel- and tundra tire-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff from an off-airport field, the airplane climbed to about 15 to 20 ft above ground level but then began to descend. He reported that a wind gust "pushed" the airplane down. He then verified that the engine was at full power and attempted to climb, but the left wheel struck the ground, and the airplane then veered left and came to rest in a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both 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 light and variable, gusting to between 8 and 10 knots. The pilot added that, when the airplane encountered the wind gust, the notch of flaps he was using "dropped out." After verifying that the engine was at full power, he attempted to "grab [the] notch of flaps but [he] wasn't fast enough." ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel and tundra tire-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff on an off-airport field, the airplane had climbed 15 to 20 ft above the ground, but then began to descend. He reported that a wind gust "pushed" the airplane down. He then verified that the engine was at full power and attempted to climb, but the airplane's left wheel struck the ground, the airplane veered left, and came to rest in a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both 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 light and variable, gusting to 8 to 10 knots. The pilot added that when the airplane was "hit" by the wind gust, the notch of flaps he was using "dropped out." He then verified full power and attempted to "grab [the] notch of flaps but [he] wasn't fast enough." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N655HE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N655HE), registered now, S/N 18-1740, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA18 (AS125) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18AS-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18as-125) (registry code 7101816) (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: 18-1740 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 4619.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 27, 2018 - Departed: 4AK6, Palmer, AK - Destination: Tyonek, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 26, 2019; seat: center; flight hours: 227 total, 227 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Temperature: 133 °F - Altimeter: 29.60 inHg ## 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 20190901012549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190901012549A), Sep 1, 2019: Piper PA-18AS-125, Neacola Mountai, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he paced the runway for distance and obstructions and completed a preflight check prior to takeoff. During takeoff, the aircraft reached… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 30, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100187. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477493&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 372 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477494&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.