# NTSB GAA19CA564: Piper PA18, N5408Y, Skwentna, AK, September 23, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 23, 2019, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Skwentna, AK - Coordinates: 61.769165, -151.584442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7692&lon=-151.5844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100326 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA564 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100326/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100326 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA564 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to depart from an off-airport surface covered with standing water, which resulted in a noseover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 83 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he conducted an off-airport takeoff from a surface covered with standing water. The water created excess drag on the main landing gear, the tail lifted, and the airplane then nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added as a safety recommendation to add more weight in the tail, avoid taking off in water, and to abort the takeoff when first signs of trouble arise. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he made an off-airport takeoff from a surface covered with standing water. The water created excess drag on the main landing gear, the tail rose and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added as a safety recommendation to add more weight in the tail, avoid taking off in water, and to abort the takeoff attempt when first signs of trouble arise. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5408Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5408Y), registered now, S/N 18-8171, built 1964 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-8171 - Year built: 1964 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Northland Hangars Llc - Registered owner: Northland Hangars Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2019 - Departed: Skwentna, AK - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 26, 2018; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 725 total, 214 in this make and model, 725 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.40 inHg - Observed at: PANC, 58 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 20190923017329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190923017329A), Sep 23, 2019: Piper PA-18-150, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Zulu date/time: 09/23/2019 1743Z Local date/time: 09/23/2019 0943 AKDT. The report states; Hiline Lake, Alaska. In a remote area of Hiline lake, AK; acft… ## Other investigations on N5408Y (7) 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 GAA16CA440](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA440), Aug 19, 2016: Piper PA 18-150 (N5408Y), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive brake application during the landing roll resulting in a nose over. - [NTSB ANC08LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA075), Jun 22, 2008: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll and liftoff, which resulted in a collision with trees and the ground. - [NTSB ANC05CA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA084), Jun 11, 2005: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Pamler, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to obtain/maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. Factors associated with the accident are a tailwind… - [NTSB ANC02LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA027), Mar 28, 2002: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Chickaloon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate supervision of the student pilot by the instructor. Factors associated with the accident are the snow-covered runway and the loss of directional control by the student pilot. - [NTSB ANC84LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA102), Jun 24, 1984: Piper PA-18-180 (N5408Y), Bear Creek, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC74DAG66](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAG66), Oct 1, 1973: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Nondalton, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC68F0023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68F0023), Mar 6, 1967: Piper PA-18 (N5408Y), Mcgrath, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100326. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 873 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478212&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Damage Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 155 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%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.