Accident Overview
On August 27, 2016, at about 1048 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, registration N8998Y, sustained substantial damage after impacting mountainous terrain approximately 9 miles southwest of Salcha, Alaska. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) were present at the time of the accident; no flight plan had been filed.
Flight History
The flight departed Chena Marina Airport (AK28) in Fairbanks, Alaska, at about 1015 AKD, en route to Birch Lake. According to the pilot's flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was to attend a business meeting. The night before the accident, the aircraft communications radio exhibited anomalies and was scheduled for repair.
On the day of the accident, the flight instructor departed about 10 minutes ahead of the accident pilot in the same direction. Due to low cloud ceilings, the instructor returned to Chena Marina. Upon landing, he received a voicemail from the accident pilot at 1052 stating that he had crashed, there was a post-crash fire, and he needed help. The pilot was rescued by a US Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter around 1350 and transported for treatment.
Pilot Communications and Radar Data
Archived Federal Aviation Administration radar and audio recordings show the instructor's airplane departing AK28 at 1009 and the accident airplane at 1015. Shortly after departure, air traffic control queried the accident pilot about his heading, to which he replied "southeast." Further queries elicited the same response. At 1016, he reported an altitude of 1,400 ft. At 1030, the airplane made an unauthorized entry into the western edge of Eielson Air Force Base airspace. Radar data shows ground tracks of 123 degrees magnetic at 1034 and 117 degrees at 1041. The last radar return was at 1048 near the accident site. All radio communications from the accident pilot contained static noise consistent with radio interference.
The pilot reported that while en route, he entered IMC, continued straight ahead, and began a descent. During the descent, he saw trees through the fog and attempted to climb just before impacting the trees. A post-crash fire followed.
Weather Conditions
The closest weather reporting facility, Eielson Air Force Base (about 16 miles northwest), reported at 1043: wind from 360° at 4 knots, overcast ceiling at 200 ft, visibility 3/4 statute miles, temperature 54°F, dewpoint 54°F, altimeter 30.23 inches of mercury.