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ANC14CA079

2014-09-13 · Susitna, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N959E

Make / Model
PIPER PA-18-135
Year of manufacture
1955 · 59 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING O-320 SERIES (150 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20090910
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AD567A

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting, variable wind conditions during initial climb after takeoff.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was departing from a wet and soft off-airport site, in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, during gusty wind conditions. He stated that shortly after takeoff, as the airplane neared the departure end of the site, the headwind abruptly decreased, and the airplane subsequently descended into an area of brush-covered terrain at the end of the site. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he was departing from a wet and soft off-airport site, in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, during gusty wind conditions. He stated that shortly after takeoff, as the airplane neared the departure end of the site, the headwind abruptly decreased, and the airplane subsequently descended into an area of brush-covered terrain at the end of the site.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies 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-Climb rate-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Variable wind-Response/compensation - C
  • C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Response/compensation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2014_ANC14CA079.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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