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ANC13CA083

2013-08-23 · Talkeetna, Alaska, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N3599A

Make / Model
PIPER PA-18A
Year of manufacture
1953 · 60 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES (140 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A409D0

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff, as the tailwheel-equipped airplane lifted off of the ground, the left wing lifted, and despite his control inputs, it drifted to the right. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees on the right side of the runway, which resulted in structural damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot added that at the time of takeoff, a 10 to 15 knot left crosswind was present. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that during takeoff, as the tailwheel-equipped airplane lifted off of the ground, the left wing lifted, and despite his control inputs, it drifted to the right. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees on the right side of the runway, which resulted in structural damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot added that at the time of takeoff, a 10 to 15 knot left crosswind was present. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2013_ANC13CA083.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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