Summary
On June 10, 1995, a Piper PA-18 (N8570C) was involved in an incident near Nikiski, AK. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF AND SUBSEQUENT INADVERTENT STALL.
On June 9, 1995, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8570C, sustained substantial damage when it collided with water shortly after takeoff from a beach near Nikiski, Alaska. The private pilot and sole passenger aboard were not injured. The personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight's intended destination was Big Lake, Alaska.
During an interview with the pilot on June 13, he related to the NTSB investigator in charge that he was practicing beach landings and takeoffs. On the accident takeoff, he said that the airplane hit a bump and veered towards the water. He said he applied the last notch of flap, and forced the airplane into the air at a low airspeed.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC95LA070. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8570C.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF AND SUBSEQUENT INADVERTENT STALL.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On June 9, 1995, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8570C, sustained substantial damage when it collided with water shortly after takeoff from a beach near Nikiski, Alaska. The private pilot and sole passenger aboard were not injured. The personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight's intended destination was Big Lake, Alaska.
During an interview with the pilot on June 13, he related to the NTSB investigator in charge that he was practicing beach landings and takeoffs. On the accident takeoff, he said that the airplane hit a bump and veered towards the water. He said he applied the last notch of flap, and forced the airplane into the air at a low airspeed. Shortly after liftoff, the left wing stalled, and the pilot said he lowered the nose as far as he could to gain additional airspeed. The airplane subsequently struck the water approximately 200 feet off shore. Both occupants were able to swim to the beach unaided.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC95LA070