Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-20 near Tyonek, AK — 2011-08-18

Final reportANC11CA082
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Date
2011-08-18
Location
Tyonek, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-20
Registration
N7763K
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot’s decision to take off toward a hill with a gusting tailwind. Contributing was the pilot's premature rotation that prevented the airplane from climbing over the hill.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that he was departing from a remote off-airport site, downhill and with a light and variable tailwind. Because the airplane was gettig closer to a hill at the end of the runway, the pilot said he pulled back on the elevators too soon to fly. Shortly after takeoff, he said that a tailwind gust kept the airplane from climbing, and the main landing gear wheels struck a hill at the departure end of the site. The airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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