Summary
On September 20, 2000, a Piper PA-18 (N81648) was involved in an incident near Galena, 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 inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Factors were the crosswind, and a snow-covered ridge.
On September 19, 2000, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N81648, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during takeoff from an off airport ridgetop, about 22 miles northeast of Galena, Alaska, at 64 degrees, 52 minutes north latitude, 156 degrees, 06 minutes west longitude. The commercial pilot and the one passenger on board received no injuries. The hunter-guide business flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and was departing the ridge for Galena.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC00LA127. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N81648.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Factors were the crosswind, and a snow-covered ridge.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On September 19, 2000, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N81648, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during takeoff from an off airport ridgetop, about 22 miles northeast of Galena, Alaska, at 64 degrees, 52 minutes north latitude, 156 degrees, 06 minutes west longitude. The commercial pilot and the one passenger on board received no injuries. The hunter-guide business flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and was departing the ridge for Galena. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a company VFR flight plan was filed.
The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) during a telephone interview on September 20, and in his NTSB pilot/operator report, that during takeoff from a snow-covered ridge, a gusty crosswind from the right pushed the airplane off the ridge. He stated that the airplane cartwheeled and broke in half. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and tail assembly.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC00LA127