Piper PA-18-150 N4131Z

Summary

On 20 December 2008 at about 19:15 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N4131Z, operated by MacArthur Clinton W, was involved in an accident near Willow, Alaska, United States. 2 people were 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

20 December 2008 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Willow, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

61.5572, -150.8564

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N4131Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

MacArthur Clinton W

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Willow → Anchorage

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC09CA014

Nobody was injured.

A partial loss of engine power during takeoff, which prevented the airplane from reaching takeoff airspeed, resulting in an aborted takeoff, and an on-ground collision with a tree.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot was taking off from a snow-covered private airstrip in a tailwheel and ski-equipped airplane for a personal cross-country flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a written statement dated January 5, 2009, the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane's engine appeared to hesitate and possibly lose power. He said that he aborted the takeoff, but due to rough terrain he was unable to get the tail of the airplane back on the ground quickly to slow the airplane. When the airplane's tail did come down, the fuselage struck a low tree, resulting in substantial damage to the tail section.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.