NTSB Factual Report

On August 23, 2002, about 2000 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N7489D, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during taxi for takeoff at Carpenter Creek, 5 miles west of Chickaloon, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was bound for Wolf Lake, a private airstrip near Palmer, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 24, the pilot said he had just dropped off his hunting partner, and supplies at Carpenter Creek. He said he was taxiing for takeoff, en route to pick up more supplies at Wolf Lake, when the airplane's right wing struck a willow tree. He said the airplane spun sharply to the right, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot said he thought he was probably taxiing too fast, and there was a tailwind. He reported the left wing struck the ground, and the spar was broken.

The pilot said the airplane had no known mechanical anomalies prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from ground obstructions while taxiing. A factor contributing to the accident was excessive taxi speed.