On September 12, 1995, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N7562K) was involved in an aviation accident near Kivalina, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of consciousness after striking his head inside the airplane structure, which resulted in a loss of control. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot attempting takeoff from a gravel bar struck a berm, bounced into the air, hit his head, lost consciousness, and subsequently crashed the aircraft.
What happened
The pilot reported that he was attempting to takeoff from a gravel bar in a Tundra Tire equipped airplane. He said the airplane hit a gravel berm during the takeoff roll, which bounced the airplane into the air and caused him to strike his head inside the airplane structure and lose consciousness. The airplane then went out of control and crashed.
The investigation
No further mechanical examination or external investigation details were provided in the source text.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's loss of consciousness due to striking his head during the bounce. Loss of consciousness prevented the pilot from maintaining control of the aircraft after it struck the gravel berm.
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of consciousness after striking his head inside the airplane structure, which resulted in a loss of control.
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