NTSB Factual Report

On September 11, 2007, about 0630 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N82022, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from an off-airport site, about 50 miles north of Tok, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) other work use flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airline transport pilot and the one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the off-airport site, and was en route to the Tok Airport, Tok.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on September 11, the pilot reported that on the morning of the accident, he awoke to a thick layer of ground fog, which delayed his departure. The purpose of the flight was to transport a hunting client to the Tok Airport at the conclusion of his guided hunting trip. After the fog had cleared, the pilot said he preheated the airplane's engine, removed any accumulation of frost from the wings, and did a preflight inspection. He said that the soft, 900-foot long, mud and gravel-covered site had an area of standing water near the departure end. During his takeoff run the pilot said that he was able to get the airplane airborne before reaching the area of standing water, but as the airplane began to climb, it struck a stand of trees at the departure end of the site.

The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area and failure to maintain clearance from trees during takeoff. Contributing to the accident were soft, muddy terrain conditions.