1991-06-05: Piper PA-18 — Craig C. Coggins — Naknek, AK

Casualties unknown • Naknek, AK, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH TAKEOFF AREA AND THE TREES ALONG THE SIDE OF THE TAKEOFF AREA.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN, HE VEERED LEFT TO AVOID RUNNING OVER A BIG BUMP. THE LEFT WING THEN HIT SOME SMALL TREES CAUSING HIM TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND GROUND LOOP THE AIRPLANE. THE RIGHT WING THEN STRUCK THE GROUND. THE TAKEOFF AREA WAS AN OLD ABANDONED FISH CANNERY STRIP.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-06-05 Piper PA-18 accident near Naknek, AK?

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN, HE VEERED LEFT TO AVOID RUNNING OVER A BIG BUMP. THE LEFT WING THEN HIT SOME SMALL TREES CAUSING HIM TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND GROUND LOOP THE AIRPLANE. THE RIGHT WING THEN STRUCK THE GROUND. THE TAKEOFF AREA WAS AN OLD ABANDONED FISH CANNERY STRIP.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-06-05 involved a Piper PA-18, registration N9727P, operated by Craig C. Coggins, at Naknek, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH TAKEOFF AREA AND THE TREES ALONG THE SIDE OF THE TAKEOFF AREA.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17141. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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