Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-18 near Fairbanks, AK — 2008-09-18

Final reportANC08CA128
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Date
2008-09-18
Location
Fairbanks, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-18
Registration
N2265A
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. A Factor contributing to the accident was a short, rough and uneven takeoff site.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot was departing from a 500 foot-long, rough and uneven off-airport site. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB he stated, in part: "During takeoff from the remote airstrip, [the] aircraft failed to reach flying speed." The pilot indicated that the airplane initially lifted off at the end of the strip, then it mushed into an area of brush-covered terrain at the end of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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