CANTWELL, AK, USA
N57617
Piper PA-18
The pilot and passenger were departing a remote and sandy area in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. The pilot had utilized the area many times in the past. The takeoff area is about 1,940 feet mean sea level and the temperature was about 70 degrees F. Variable wind conditions were blowing from the left side of the takeoff area with gusts of 25 knots. During the takeoff roll, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right into several alder trees. The airplane then ground looped and received damage to the left wing spar and left aileron.
On July 3, 1996, about 1550 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18, N57617, collided with several trees during the takeoff roll from a small sand bar located at mile post 185.9 of the Parks Highway, about 20 miles south of Cantwell, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The Alaska State Troopers reported that the pilot landed to clean up an area along the highway that is used for an archery range. The pilot indicated to a trooper that the weather was very warm and during the take off, the airplane did not become airborne and struck several alder trees located at the end of the takeoff area. On July 5, 1996, at 1145, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that he has landed on a sandy area at the accident site many times in the past. The pilot indicated that the elevation of the takeoff area is about 1,940 feet mean sea level and the temperature was about 70 degrees F. He also reported that variable wind conditions were blowing from the left side of the takeoff area with gusts of 25 knots. During the takeoff, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right, into several alder trees. The airplane then ground looped and received damage to the left wing spar and left aileron. The closest weather observation site is Talkeetna, Alaska, located about 50 miles south of the accident site. A 1550 surface weather observation was reporting, in part: Sky condition and ceiling; 5,000 feet scattered, 25,000 feet scattered; visibility, 30 miles; temperature, 77 degrees F; wind, 310 degrees at 4 knots.
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. A factor in the accident was the crosswind.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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