Piper PA-18-150 N5760D

Summary

On 14 May 1996 at about 22:35 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N5760D was involved in an accident near Big Lake, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 May 1996 at 22:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Big Lake, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

61.4594, -150.0894

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N5760D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC96LA071

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure (or inability) to maintain clearance from trees after encountering gusty crosswind conditions. The wind condition and close proximity of trees were related factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported he had just changed his airplane's main landing gear configuration from wheels to floats. He said he was taking off to the west from a creek which entered a large lake. He estimated the wind was from the northwest at 10 to 12 knots as he began the takeoff run. Shortly after becoming airborne, he said a gust of wind, estimated at 30 knots or more, caused the right wing to lift and turn the airplane toward trees, which lined the creek bank. The pilot was able to level the airplane's wings, but was unable to turn away from the trees. Subsequently, the airplane collided with the trees and a small boat that rested in front of a lakeside home.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.