Piper PA-18 N7459L

Summary

On 9 August 1995 at about 05:30 local time, a Piper PA-18 registered N7459L was involved in an accident near Cordova, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 August 1995 at 05:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cordova, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

60.7898, -145.6100

Aircraft

Piper PA-18

Registration

N7459L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Girdwood

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC95LA134

1 person was seriously injured.

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE INTENDED TAKEOFF AREA DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: PILOT FATIGUE AND THE PROXIMITY OF ROCKS/BOULDERS TO THE TAKEOFF AREA.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM A REMOTE, UNIMPROVED LANDING SITE. HE STATED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 300 POUNDS OF DEER MEAT IN THE BACK OF THE AIRPLANE. HE STATED THAT HE WAS TIRED AND SHOULD HAVE SLEPT, BUT HE DECIDED TO TAKEOFF INSTEAD OF SPENDING THE NIGHT. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AS THE AIRPLANE BECAME LIGHT ON THE WHEELS, IT DRIFTED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TAKEOFF AREA. ONE OF THE WHEELS HIT SOME BOULDERS AND SLOWED THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE THEN CONTINUED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE AND NOSED OVER IN BRUSH.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.