N3802Z – PIPER PA-18-150 – 2012-09-21 NTSB Accident Report

On September 21, 2012, a Piper PA-18-150 (N3802Z) was involved in an incident near Port Alsworth, 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 loss of directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions from an off-airport site, which resulted in a collision with terrain and a nose over.

The pilot was departing from a mountain ridgeline, in gusting wind conditions. He said he started the takeoff in what he estimated was a 5-10 knot headwind. At liftoff, a gust of wind raised the right wing and the left wing struck the ground, which pivoted the airplane to the left. The airplane then continued over the ridgeline, downhill, nosing over, and coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. There were no reported mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC12CA110. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3802Z.