1995-08-09: Piper PA-18 — Cordova, AK

Casualties unknown • Cordova, AK, US

Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE INTENDED TAKEOFF AREA DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: PILOT FATIGUE AND THE PROXIMITY OF ROCKS/BOULDERS TO THE TAKEOFF AREA.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM A REMOTE, UNIMPROVED LANDING SITE. HE STATED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 300 POUNDS OF DEER MEAT IN THE BACK OF THE AIRPLANE. HE STATED THAT HE WAS TIRED AND SHOULD HAVE SLEPT, BUT HE DECIDED TO TAKEOFF INSTEAD OF SPENDING THE NIGHT. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AS THE AIRPLANE BECAME LIGHT ON THE WHEELS, IT DRIFTED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TAKEOFF AREA. ONE OF THE WHEELS HIT SOME BOULDERS AND SLOWED THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE THEN CONTINUED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE AND NOSED OVER IN BRUSH.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1995-08-09 Piper PA-18 accident near Cordova, AK?

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM A REMOTE, UNIMPROVED LANDING SITE. HE STATED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 300 POUNDS OF DEER MEAT IN THE BACK OF THE AIRPLANE. HE STATED THAT HE WAS TIRED AND SHOULD HAVE SLEPT, BUT HE DECIDED TO TAKEOFF INSTEAD OF SPENDING THE NIGHT. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AS THE AIRPLANE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-08-09 involved a Piper PA-18, registration N7459L, at Cordova, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE INTENDED TAKEOFF AREA DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: PILOT FATIGUE AND THE PROXIMITY OF ROCKS/BOULDERS TO THE TAKEOFF AREA.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X04128. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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