N4319Z

On May 5, 1998, at 1008 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N4319Z, equipped with 28 inch tundra tires, sustained substantial damage when it departed Runway 36 during takeoff from the Talkeetna Airport, Talkeetna, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, to move the airplane and occupants to Cold Bay, Alaska, where they were to work as hunting guides for the operator. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a VFR flight plan was filed.

During an interview with the NTSB investigator on May 5, the pilot related he was attempting to takeoff on Runway 36. Runway 36 is asphalt covered, and is 3,500 feet long by 75 feet wide. The pilot said the winds were from the northwest at 5 knots. During the takeoff roll, the airplane's tail came up, and the airplane veered to the right. He was unable to maintain directional control, and he lowered the flaps in an attempt to takeoff. He said the airplane was too slow to fly, departed the right side of the runway, and came to rest in a ditch.

The airplane sat in the ditch about one hour prior to being removed. The people who recovered the airplane stated to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that with the tail lifted up, the airplane rolled on the main landing gear with no abnormalities.

The pilot stated in his Pilot / Operator Report that during his taxi to the runway he had to input excessive rudder. He asked his passenger if his foot was on the rear brakes. While inspecting the airplane after the accident, the owner found a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna cable lodged in the right parking brake, with the brake partially set. The pilot related that prior to the flight, he removed the GPS to become familiar with the unit. He believes that during reinstallation, he did not reconnect the cable, and that this allowed the cable to slip off the dash and lodge in the brake.