Accident Overview
On September 22, 2019, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18 floatplane, registration N7071B, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Beluga, Alaska. The private pilot and a passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that earlier in the day, he and the passenger harvested a moose on a small lake estimated to be 750 ft in length. They intended to use the floatplane to shuttle the meat to their hunting camp on another lake. Before loading, the pilot flew several passes over the lake and observed no hazards. He performed a confined area landing and a practice takeoff without the load to assess conditions. He noted light and variable winds between 3 and 8 knots and reported no issues during the practice takeoff. The passenger recalled that a headwind was present during the practice takeoff but no wind after the accident.
The pilot and passenger loaded a portion of the meat into the belly pod and floats. The pilot, experienced in estimating meat weight, stated that the takeoff weight was below the maximum gross weight of 1,760 lbs. No mechanical issues were known, and the runup was normal. The pilot conducted the takeoff with one notch of flaps extended. At 40 mph indicated airspeed, he extended another notch of flaps. The floatplane lifted off the water but could not climb. No abnormal engine indications were observed or heard. The airplane descended beyond the lake, and the right float and wing struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.
Later, the pilot initially stated that he had overloaded the airplane with the moose meat and was forced to land after takeoff. Subsequently, he stated he did not know the cause of the lack of climb performance, adding that “maybe it was a lack of engine power.” The passenger reported no mechanical issues, noting only the lack of climb performance and the engine becoming quiet just before impact.
Weight and Balance
The pilot provided estimated weights: crew 365 lbs, fuel 78 lbs, meat in belly pod 60 lbs, meat in floats 50 lbs, and a survival bag 9 lbs. The total estimated weight was 1,716 lbs, compared to the airplane's maximum gross weight of 1,760 lbs as listed in the most recent weight and balance document. The investigation did not obtain the actual weight of the airplane's contents due to the remote accident location.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination of the engine revealed it was intact with no loose lines, leaks, or impact damage. Engine control continuity was established. The propeller was attached and turned smoothly by hand, with undamaged blades. The ignition harness and spark plugs were intact. A fuel sample from the fuel filter was consistent with avgas and free of contamination. No abnormalities were found in the air intake or exhaust system. During a test run, the engine was started and advanced to 2,300 rpm with no anomalies noted.