Accident Overview
On June 21, 2008, at about 1620 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, registration N5408Y, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during the initial climb after takeoff. The accident occurred at a remote airstrip located approximately 2.5 miles south-southwest of Skwentna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot and Passenger Injuries
The private certificated pilot received serious injuries. The sole passenger was not injured.
Flight Details
The flight was en route to Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska.
Airstrip and Takeoff Sequence
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on June 23, the pilot reported that he was departing to the west from the Tal River Lodge, located on the Talachulitna River. The airstrip was oriented east/west, approximately 2,000 feet long and 40 feet wide. The pilot indicated that the center of the airstrip was gravel, with 8 inch-high grass along the edges.
During the takeoff roll, after the tailwheel came up, the airplane pulled to the right. The pilot suggested this may have been due to the right main landing gear encountering the grass edge. The airplane lifted off to about 15 feet while drifting to the right, and the right wingtip struck trees that were along the edge of the airstrip. The airplane then nosed down about 400 feet from the initial takeoff point.
Damage
The airplane received structural damage to the wings, fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder.