NIKISKI, AK, USA
N8570C
PIPER PA-18
THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS PRACTICING BEACH TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. DURING THE ACCIDENT TAKEOFF ATTEMPT, HE SAID THE AIRPLANE HIT A BUMP ON THE BEACH AND TURNED TOWARDS THE WATER. HE SAID HE PULLED THE AIRPLANE INTO THE AIR WITH INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED, AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A STEADY FLIGHT STATE. THE AIRPLANE SOON STALLED AND CRASHED INTO THE WATER. BOTH THE PILOT AND THE SOLE PASSENGER ABOARD WERE ABLE TO SWIM TO SHORE.
On June 9, 1995, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8570C, sustained substantial damage when it collided with water shortly after takeoff from a beach near Nikiski, Alaska. The private pilot and sole passenger aboard were not injured. The personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight's intended destination was Big Lake, Alaska. During an interview with the pilot on June 13, he related to the NTSB investigator in charge that he was practicing beach landings and takeoffs. On the accident takeoff, he said that the airplane hit a bump and veered towards the water. He said he applied the last notch of flap, and forced the airplane into the air at a low airspeed. Shortly after liftoff, the left wing stalled, and the pilot said he lowered the nose as far as he could to gain additional airspeed. The airplane subsequently struck the water approximately 200 feet off shore. Both occupants were able to swim to the beach unaided.
THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF AND SUBSEQUENT INADVERTENT STALL.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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