Summary
On August 14, 2009, a Piper PA-18-150 (N83278) was involved in an incident near Kaktovik, AK. All 3 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 selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.
The airline transport pilot was on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, personal cross-country flight when the accident occurred. The pilot said during takeoff from an off-airport site the airplane hit a bump, and became airborne prematurely. When the airplane settled to the ground, she said the right main landing gear wheel landed in a depression, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The pilot said the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane veered to the right, side-loading the left main landing gear which collapsed, allowing the left wing to hit the ground. She said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. She said the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. Due to the remote location the airplane has not been examined by the NTSB.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC09CA082. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N83278.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The airline transport pilot was on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, personal cross-country flight when the accident occurred. The pilot said during takeoff from an off-airport site the airplane hit a bump, and became airborne prematurely. When the airplane settled to the ground, she said the right main landing gear wheel landed in a depression, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The pilot said the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane veered to the right, side-loading the left main landing gear which collapsed, allowing the left wing to hit the ground. She said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. She said the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. Due to the remote location the airplane has not been examined by the NTSB. The pilot did not submit the required 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC09CA082