Piper PA-18 N1620A accident near Healy, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, resulting in an aborted takeoff and collision with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was departing uphill from a remote off-airport site. The rough and gravel-covered site was about 600 feet long, with soft vegetation, and 25- to 30-foot-tall trees about 150 feet beyond the departure end. The wind was variable with moderate gusts. When the pilot realized that he did not have enough airspeed or remaining runway to clear the trees at the departure end of the site, he aborted the takeoff. The airplane subsequently overran the southeast end of the site, into an area of tree-covered, rough and uneven terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC12CA109 for the full record.