No fatalities

19 May 2016: PIPER PA 20 150 — Nikolai Creek, AK

Nikolai Creek, AK, United States

On 19 May 2016, a PIPER PA 20 150 was involved in an aviation accident near Nikolai Creek, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area resulting in an airplane nose over during the takeoff roll. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel-equipped airplane nosed over during takeoff from wet, grassy, down sloping terrain after the main landing gear wheels encountered mud, creating a pivot point. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions.

Incident Description

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the takeoff was attempted from a grassy, wet, and down sloping surface. The pilot stated that prior to the takeoff, he walked the intended takeoff area and found no obstacles that would have prevented a safe takeoff.

During the takeoff roll, the pilot kept the airplane's tailwheel off the ground while rolling down the slope. As the airplane progressed, the main landing gear wheels rolled over a patch of mud, which created a pivot point and caused the airplane to nose over.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wing struts.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any part of the airplane prior to the takeoff roll that would have precluded normal flight operations.

Contributing factors

Effect on equipmentDecision related to conditionPilot