N1886P

On September 12, 1999, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1886P, sustained substantial damage while taking off from a remote area, about 65 miles west of Iliamna, Alaska, at latitude 59 degrees, 59.46 minutes north, and longitude 156 degrees, 57.38 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Allgood Flying Service, Chugiak, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), traveled to the accident scene and interviewed the pilot. The inspector said the pilot landed to drop off a passenger at a hunting camp, and placed about 12 gallons of fuel in the left wing fuel tank. The pilot intended to depart and return to Iliamna. The pilot departed downhill from an area about 800 feet long. The airplane fuel selector was on "BOTH." As the airplane became airborne, and climbed to about 15 feet above the ground, the engine began to lose power. The pilot selected the left fuel tank, and the engine began to gain power, but the airplane collided with trees and nosed over. The airplane received damage to the left wing lift strut, the engine mount and firewall, and both wings.