Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 18-135 near Beluga, AK — 2014-06-19

Final reportANC14CA043
Sign in to save
Date
2014-06-19
Location
Beluga, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA 18-135
Registration
N27293
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control when encountering a downdraft during the initial climb after takeoff, resulting in a collision with brush and terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was departing from a small remote lake in a float-equipped airplane. He said that during the initial climb he encountered a strong downdraft, and he selected an area of marshy, brush-covered terrain as a forced landing site. During touchdown, the left wing collided with a stand of tall brush, which pivoted the airplane 90-degrees to the left, and the airplane's left float subsequently struck the shoreline. 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.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

Related mishaps