Event ANC98LA086

Factual narrative

On June 29, 1998, about 2122 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N5994Z, sustained substantial damage when it went off the side of runway 13 during takeoff from the Lake Hood Airstrip, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a local, visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 30, the pilot reported that he intended to do a few touch-and-go landings for pilot proficiency purposes. The pilot said, in part: "I applied full power for takeoff and the airplane pulled to the left and went off the runway and nosed over. I just forgot to take my feet off the brake pedals." The pilot indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical difficulties with the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, and right wing lift strut. The certificated commercial pilot was departing a gravel airstrip with the intentions of doing a few touch-and-go landings for pilot proficiency purposes. During the takeoff roll the airplane veered to the left, and departed the runway about midfield of the 2200 feet long airstrip. The main landing gear contacted soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot said, in part: 'I applied full power for takeoff and the airplane pulled to the left and went off the runway and nosed over. I just forgot to take my feet off the brake pedals.' The pilot indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical difficulties with the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, and right wing lift strut. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12