1992-02-29: Piper PA-18A-135 — West, Jim V. — Paxson, AK

Casualties unknown • Paxson, AK, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO ATTAIN & MAINTAIN TAKEOFF AIRSPEED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TAKEOFF WAS PERFORMED WITH A TAILWIND, AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

AFTER LANDING ON A SNOW COVERED RIDGE, THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRPLANE AROUND TO TAKE OFF DOWNWIND AND DOWN SLOPE. AFTER THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF AND ATTAINED AN ALTITUDE OF 10 FEET AGL, THE PILOT FELT THE AIRPLANE STALL. THE PILOT NOSED THE AIRPLANE DOWN TO INCREASE THE AIRSPEED. THE PILOT THEN PULLED THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE UP, WHICH AGAIN STALLED. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN ENOUGH AIRSPEED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND OPTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. DURING THE DESCENT IN THE CANYON, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TREES.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-02-29 Piper PA-18A-135 accident near Paxson, AK?

AFTER LANDING ON A SNOW COVERED RIDGE, THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRPLANE AROUND TO TAKE OFF DOWNWIND AND DOWN SLOPE. AFTER THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF AND ATTAINED AN ALTITUDE OF 10 FEET AGL, THE PILOT FELT THE AIRPLANE STALL. THE PILOT NOSED THE AIRPLANE DOWN TO INCREASE THE AIRSPEED. THE PILOT THEN PULLED THE NOSE OF THE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-02-29 involved a Piper PA-18A-135, registration N3372B, operated by West, Jim V., at Paxson, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT FAILED TO ATTAIN & MAINTAIN TAKEOFF AIRSPEED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TAKEOFF WAS PERFORMED WITH A TAILWIND, AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14064. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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