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N4131Z accident description

Alaska map... Alaska list
Crash location 61.557222°N, 150.856389°W
Reported location is a long distance from the NTSB's reported nearest city. This often means that the location has a typo, or is incorrect.
Nearest city Willow, AK
61.747222°N, 150.037500°W
29.9 miles away
Tail number N4131Z
Accident date 20 Dec 2008
Aircraft type Piper PA-18-150
Additional details: None

NTSB Factual Report

The airline transport pilot was taking off from a snow-covered private airstrip in a tailwheel and ski-equipped airplane for a personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. In a written statement dated January 5, 2009, the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane's engine appeared to hesitate, and possibly lose power. He said he aborted the takeoff, but due to rough terrain he was unable to get the tail of the airplane back on the ground quickly to slow the airplane. When the airplane's tail did come down, the fuselage struck a low tree, resulting in substantial damage to the tail section. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on December 21, 2008, the pilot did not mention any engine issue.

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial loss of engine power during takeoff, which prevented the airplane from reaching takeoff airspeed, resulting in an aborted takeoff, and an on-ground collision with a tree.

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