# NTSB SEA05LA147: Piper PA-18-150, N721JW, Yellow Pine, ID, July 17, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 2005, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Yellow Pine, ID - Coordinates: 45.131111, -114.997497 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1311&lon=-114.9975&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Boise FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62041 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62041/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA147 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, and his failure to maintain directional control after the aircraft's right main gear contacted a small dirt mound during the takeoff roll at the remote grass airstrip. Factors include the pilot's failure to walk the length of the runway during his pre-flight preparation to insure that it was clear of objects, a hidden object on the takeoff surface (the mound), high vegetation on the runway surface, and trees near the side borders of the airstrip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis During the takeoff roll at the remote grass airstrip, the aircraft's right main landing gear hit a mound of dirt created by a burrowing animal, and the aircraft suddenly veered to the right. The pilot applied left rudder to correct the situation, but he was unable to get the aircraft back on takeoff heading prior to it departing the right side of the airstrip surface. Soon after departing the takeoff surface, the aircraft's landing gear rolled over some nearby large rocks, and the right wing impacted a tree that was located near the side of the airstrip. The pilot did not see the dirt mound during the takeoff roll because it was hidden by tall grass/weeds, and he had not walked the length of the 1,100 foot remote runway looking for obstructions prior to takeoff. According to a note in the Idaho Airports Guide, the surface of this runway is rough and subject to ongoing deterioration, and its usage is limited to "highly experienced" mountain pilots. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 2005, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N721JW, impacted a tree during the takeoff roll at Vines Airstrip, Yellow Pine, Idaho. The private pilot was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which was departing for McCall, Idaho, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll at the remote grass airstrip, the right main landing gear hit a mound of dirt created by a burrowing animal, and the aircraft suddenly veered to the right. The pilot applied left rudder to correct the situation, but he was unable to get the aircraft back on takeoff heading prior to it departing the right side of the airstrip surface. Soon after departing the takeoff surface, the aircraft's landing gear rolled over some nearby large rocks, and the right wing impacted a tree that was located near the side of the airstrip. In a telephone discussion with the NTSB Investigator, the pilot said that he did not see the dirt mound during the takeoff roll because it was hidden by tall grass/weeds. When asked if he had walked the length of the 1,100 foot remote runway looking for obstructions prior to takeoff, he said he had not. According to a note in the Idaho Airports Guide, the surface of this runway is rough and subject to ongoing deterioration, and its usage is limited to "highly experienced" mountain pilots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N721JW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N721JW), registered now, S/N 1809015, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150 - 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: 1809015 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Larry K. Carpenter - Registered owner: Blue Water Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2005 - Departed: Yellow Pine, ID - Destination: KMYL, McCall, ID - Airport: Vines Airstrip, runway 09, 1,100 × 30 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 2,200 total, 400 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 20050717015619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050717015619A), Jul 17, 2005: Piper PA18150, Yellow Pine, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) While taking off from a very rough and non-maintained back country airstrip, the aircraft struck a mound of dirt possibly constructed by a wilderness… 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.