17 Sep 2011: PIPER PA-18-150

17 Sep 2011: PIPER PA-18-150 — Unknown operator

No fatalities • Bethel, AK, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot reported that, during takeoff in his float-equipped airplane, he realized that the airplane was not going to become airborne before reaching the departure end of the lake. He closed the engine throttle in an attempt to abort the takeoff, but the airplane struck the shoreline and came to rest on the tundra adjacent to the lake, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing. He stated the automated weather observation from an airport approximately 1 mile south of the lake was reporting wind from the east-northeast, but the wind appeared calm on the lake. He made the decision to takeoff to the west due to the calm wind, and to stay away from aircraft departing to the north from the nearby airport. He indicated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the accident could have been prevented if he had aborted the takeoff sooner.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot
  • Contributed to outcome
  • Capability exceeded

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 060/06kt, vis 2sm

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