PIPER PA 18-150
Delta Junction, AK — September 19, 2013
Event Information
| Date | September 19, 2013 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ANC13CA104 |
| Event ID | 20130920X50453 |
| Location | Delta Junction, AK |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 64.56167, -145.77667 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA 18-150 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's inadequate takeoff planning and judgment that did not consider the reduced acceleration due to snow-covered terrain, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and collision with terrain.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that during takeoff from a snow-covered mountain ridgeline, the airplane did not attain sufficient airspeed to takeoff before reaching the end of the site, so he aborted the takeoff. During the aborted takeoff, the airplane rolled to the end of the site and impacted an area of rough and uneven terrain, and eventually came to rest on the forward fuselage. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.