N82905

Substantial
Minor

Piper PA-18 S/N: 18-7709197

Accident Details

Date
Friday, August 20, 1999
NTSB Number
ANC99LA121
Location
SLEETMUTE, AK
Event ID
20001212X19408
Coordinates
61.680679, -157.160308
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area, which resulted in the airplane colliding with vegetation, knocking the gascolator off the airplane, and fuel starvation of the engine.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
18-7709197
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1977
Model / ICAO
PA-18 PA18
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
PA-18-150

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
REESE MELISSA A
Address
36329 EDGINGTON RD
City
SOLDOTNA
State / Zip Code
AK 99669-8604
Country
United States

Analysis

On August 20, 1999, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped, Piper PA-18, N82905, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain after takeoff from an off airport site about 45 miles south-southeast of Sleetmute, Alaska, at 60 degrees 58 minutes north latitude, 157 degrees 22 minutes west longitude. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries, and the one passenger on board was not injured. The airplane was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by Restoration Through Recreation - Alaskan Adventures, of Rocklin, California, in support of the owner's hunting-guide business. The flight was departing a ridgetop landing area for the guide's camp on the Hoholitna River, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 23, the pilot stated that during the takeoff, the airplane struck a two inch diameter, four feet tall bush. He indicated he smelled fuel, and the engine quit. The pilot made a forced landing into trees below the ridge, damaging the right landing gear mount. The engine gascolator separated from the airplane, and was found next to the first bush which the airplane impacted.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC99LA121