# NTSB SEA99LA132: Piper PA-18-150, N6741L, Big Creek, ID, July 31, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 1999, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Big Creek, ID - Coordinates: 45.069156, -115.970367 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0692&lon=-115.9704&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 13, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46993 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46993/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA132 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's improper remedial action (continued takeoff). Contributing factors were the tree and control interference (inadvertent brake activation) by the passenger.. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause) - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot-in-command reported that he 'did not warn [the rear seat passenger] about hitting the brake pedals under [his] seat.' He then initiated the takeoff roll reporting that 'the airplane pitched to the left greater than ever before.' Rather than terminating the takeoff, he corrected with right rudder and right brake. As the airplane returned to the center of the runway and 'as [he] continued to apply power [he] released the drag on the right brake. As [he] released the brake the airplane pitched hard to the left towards some small trees.' Rather than impacting a tree head on he 'added hard left rudder as the airplane started to ground loop.' The aircraft impacted the tree on the right side and came to a stop. Post-crash examination of the aircraft's left wheel and brake assembly revealed no mechanical malfunction. The pilot-in-command reported that he believed that his 'passenger may have been resting a foot against the left brake pedal without knowing it.' ## Factual narrative On July 31, 1999, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N6741L, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with a tree following a loss of control on takeoff at the Big Creek airstrip, Big Creek, Idaho. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and was destined for Caldwell, Idaho. The pilot reported that "I began my take off from Big Creek by lining up on the right side of the runway. A Super Cub was taking off in front of me on the left side of the runway. After the Super Cub departed I began my takeoff roll. The airplane pitched to the left greater than ever before. I applied right rudder and right brake. The airplane returned to the center of the runway and as I continued to apply power I released the drag on the right brake. As I released the brake the airplane pitched hard to the left towards some small trees. It felt like the left brake was locked. As I was heading to the left, I felt I was going to hit a small tree head on. I did not want to hit the tree head on so I added hard left rudder as the airplane started to ground loop. I hit the tree on the right side to the airplane and spun around to the left and stopped. I would estimate my entire take off roll of about 150 to 200 feet." He further reported that "I was departing Big Creek for Caldwell after having breakfast. I had told my passenger that their [sic] was leg room on the side of my seat. I cautioned about the rudder pedals but I did not warn about hitting the brake pedals under my seat. After I released the right brake it felt like the left wheel was locked" and that "I examined the left wheel and brake after I exited the airplane and it appeared to be normal. On the grass strip you could see where I had hard right braking in an attempt to abort the takeoff. I believe my passenger may have been resting a foot against the left brake pedal without knowing it." (refer to attached NTSB Form 6120.1/2) A pilot witness at the Big Creek airport, who was in a partial position to observe both departing aircraft, reported that he "could see both of the a/c ready for t/o, and heard the first apply power. About the time that the first a/c rotate[d] & was visible flying, the second a/c applied power. The a/c disappeared from view and then there was the sound of a concussion, the engine stopping and a large cloud of dust rising from the west end off of the strip." He further reported that "the other super cub, which had taken off first, returned & landed & taxied up near the wreckage." (refer to attached statement) An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration's Boise Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft following the accident and reported finding no mechanical malfunction of the aircraft's left wheel brake assembly. (refer to attached statement NARRATIVE #33) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6741L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6741L), registered now, S/N 18-7409121, built 1974 (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: 18-7409113 - Airframe hours: 4807 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wilson, David, F. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1999, 54 hours before - Destination: EUL, CALDWELL, ID - Airport: U60, Big Creek, runway 1, 3,550 × 110 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,803 total, 102 in this make and model, 2,753 as pilot in command, 139 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MYL, 36 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 19990731043879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990731043879A), Jul 31, 1999: Piper PA18150, Big Creek, ID, No damage. (-23) During takeoff from Big Creek airstrip, Big Creek, ID., (60), on run way 18, the pilot stated his aircraft pitched to the left more than usual. He… ## Other investigations on N6741L (1) 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 GAA19CA584](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA584), Sep 17, 2019: Piper PA18 (N6741L), New Meadows, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a gusting, right quartering headwind, which resulted in a noseover. 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.