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ANC24LA101

2024-04-15 · Big Lake, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N303T

Make / Model
PIPER PA-18-105 SPECIAL
Year of manufacture
1953 · 71 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20160502
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A32C20

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle during takeoff.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was departing from a gravel bar and immediately after becoming airborne he initiated a left turn to follow the curve of the terrain. The wing tip impacted a stump that was about six feet tall which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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.

  • — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Heading/course-Incorrect use/operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2024_ANC24LA101.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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