1989-05-18: Piper PA-18 — Harding Lake, AK

Casualties unknown • Harding Lake, AK, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE GUSTY/VARIABLE WIND CONDITION.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FROM A SMALL LAKE IN HIS FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE. HE WAS UNABLE TO GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE OPPOSITE BANK, AND STRUCK THE TERRAIN WITH THE RIGHT MAIN FLOAT. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED ONTO THE SHORE AND DAMAGED THE LEFT WING. THE PILOT BELIEVES THAT THE PRESENCE OF VARIABLE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS ADDED TO THE TAKE OFF DISTANCE REQUIRED, AND THAT HE DID NOT ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-05-18 Piper PA-18 accident near Harding Lake, AK?

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FROM A SMALL LAKE IN HIS FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE. HE WAS UNABLE TO GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE OPPOSITE BANK, AND STRUCK THE TERRAIN WITH THE RIGHT MAIN FLOAT. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED ONTO THE SHORE AND DAMAGED THE LEFT WING. THE PILOT BELIEVES THAT THE PRESENCE OF…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-05-18 involved a Piper PA-18, registration N7761D, at Harding Lake, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE GUSTY/VARIABLE WIND CONDITION.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28220. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…