Piper PA-18 N237WT

Summary

On 13 January 2007 at about 22:00 local time, a Piper PA-18 registered N237WT was involved in an accident near Tyonek, 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

13 January 2007 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Tyonek, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

61.2300, -152.0708

Aircraft

Piper PA-18

Registration

N237WT

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tyonek → Merrill Field

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

NTSB number

ANC07LA015

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control on the ground, and the wing impacting the snow-covered terrain. A factor associated with the accident was the snow-covered terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was being operated by the private pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The pilot said he landed the ski-equipped airplane in a snow-covered meadow. He said the snow conditions were not what he had expected, and prior to takeoff, he had to dig the airplane out, and pack down an area around the airplane with his snowshoes. He said he packed down a takeoff area, and removed as much gear from the airplane as possible to lighten the takeoff load. During the takeoff roll, the pilot said the airplane veered off the packed area, burying the right ski and wing in the snow. The mechanic who examined the airplane said both the fore and aft main spars in the right wing would have to be replaced. The airplane was not examined by the NTSB.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.