Loss of Control on Ground: Piper PA-18-105, N5478H; accident occurred May 16, 2020 in McGrath, Alaska

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N5478H

Location: McGrath, Alaska

Accident Number: ANC20CA047

Date & Time: May 16, 2020, 09:40 Local 

Registration: N5478H

Aircraft: Piper PA 18 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of control on ground

Injuries: 2 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that during the departure roll, and as the airplane began to lift off, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left. The left wing contacted a tree and the airplane veered to the left and impacted a dirt embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and impacted with the ground.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 

Age: 65,Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land

Seat Occupied: Front

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 

Restraint Used: 4-point

Instrument Rating(s): None

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: BasicMed Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: October 17, 2017

Occupational Pilot: No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

Flight Time: 698.4 hours (Total, all aircraft), 28 hours (Total, this make and model), 589 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper 

Registration: N5478H

Model/Series: PA 18

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1950

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal

Serial Number: 18-70

Landing Gear Type: 

Tailwheel Seats:

Date/Type of Last Inspection: May 2, 2020 100 hour 

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1499 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 526 Hrs as of last inspection

Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming

ELT: C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident

Engine Model/Series: O-235 SERIES

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 150 Horsepower

Operator: On file

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: PAFS,447 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site:

Observation Time: 18:01 Local

Direction from Accident Site:

Lowest Cloud Condition: 

Visibility: 6 miles

Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 12000 ft AGL

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: / Turbulence Type

Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 29.95 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / 4°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: Moderate - None - Haze

Departure Point: McGrath, AK 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR

Destination: Chugiak, AK

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 

Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 1 None

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 2 None

Latitude, Longitude: 62.508888,-153.89778(est)