Piper PA-18 N5408Y

Summary

On 11 June 2005 at about 23:30 local time, a Piper PA-18 registered N5408Y, operated by Charles & Heather Lee, was involved in an accident near Pamler, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 June 2005 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Pamler, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

61.6167, -149.0333

Aircraft

Piper PA-18

Registration

N5408Y

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Charles & Heather Lee

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pamler → Pamler

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC05CA084

Nobody was injured.

The student pilot's failure to obtain/maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. Factors associated with the accident are a tailwind and diminished braking capability.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that he had recently removed the airplane's skis and reinstalled tundra tires. After adding hydraulic fluid to the airplane's brake system, he boarded the airplane, locked the airplane's brakes, and started the engine. He noted that prior to the accident, he had no intention of flying. While momentarily looking down at the instrument panel, he realized that the airplane was moving downhill on the taxiway. Unable to stop the airplane, he elected to apply full engine power in an attempt to fly. The airplane initially became airborne, but settled into a stand of small birch trees at the end of the taxiway. The pilot said that a quartering tailwind contributed to the accident. The airplane received structural damage to both wings and the fuselage. According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report submitted by the pilot, there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane. However, he noted, in part, in the safety recommendation section of the NTSB report: "Bleed brakes after every ski/wheel changeover."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.