N985WPiper PA-18-150 · 1961

On June 4, 2015, about 1100 Alaska daylight time, the pilot-in-command of N985W, a Piper PA-18-150 airplane, was struck by the spinning propeller while attempting to load the airplane, 15 miles east of McCarthy, Alaska. The airplane sustained minor damage and the certificated airline transport pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to Hunter Creek, LLC, and operated by Alaska Cub Training Specialists, Palmer, Alaska, as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.

In statements provided to the United States Park Service and National Transportation Safety Board, witnesses stated that four airplanes, flying as a group, had landed at Pevine Bar Airstrip in the Wrangell - St. Elias National Park. To stave off swarms of mosquitos while loading the airplanes, the engines of all four airplanes were started and allowed to operate at idle, with the cockpits unattended. While loading gear on the right side of the airplane, the unoccupied airplane to the left of the accident airplane, also a Piper, PA-18, began slowly moving forward. The pilot of N985W attempted to go around the front of his airplane towards the left wing. Subsequently, the pilot made contact with the back of the spinning propeller, and was struck three times.

During an examination of the airplanes by the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 3, 2015, paint transfers were noted on both airplanes. The left wingtip of N985W (yellow in color) had two areas of scraped fabric about 1 inch in length. The top of the left wing was abraded with chordwise striations about 13 1/2 inches inboard from the left wingtip about 9 inches long and .75 inches wide. The other airplane (black in color) had chordwise, yellow paint transfer on the bottom of the right wing leading edge; about 13.5 inches outboard of the outboard tie down ring.

The closest weather reporting facility is Gulkana Airport, Gulkana, Alaska, 95 miles from the accident site. At 1053, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) from the Gulkana Airport was reporting in part: wind from 040 degrees at 7 knots; sky condition, clear; visibility, 10 statute miles; temperature 52 degrees F; dew point 36 degrees F; altimeter 29.39 inHg.

On March 4, 2008, about 1030 Alaska standard time, a ski-equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N985W, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control and impact with trees and a building during takeoff initial climb, about 41 miles southeast of Nikolai, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Alaska Cub Training Specialist LLC, Palmer, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) instructional flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial certificated flight instructor, and the private certificated student pilot, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was departing on a frozen lake.

In a written statement dated March 25, the student pilot wrote that he had contracted with Alaska Cub Training Specialist to provide wilderness flight training, while following the Iditarod sled dog race. He reported that they had not flown for several days due to high winds, and that on the morning of the accident, the wind was still high and gusting. He stated he and his instructor were the lead airplane in a flight of three, and that due to the sun and wind, most of the snow was gone from the lake's surface, and the takeoff area was mostly glare ice. He said the other two airplanes taxied out first, and both lost control, and spun into the wind due to gusting conditions. He said since the other airplanes were having trouble maintaining control while taxiing, his instructor told him to taxi to the center of the lake. He said he suggested taxiing farther down the lake to give them more takeoff length, but the instructor said no. The student said he was on the controls, and pointed the airplane toward the lowest point in the hills surrounding the lake. The lowest point was also the location of the lodge. When he reached flying speed, he pulled in full flaps as instructed, and after becoming airborne, the airplane settled back to the surface, and then began to climb. He said as they approached the hills, the climb rate declined as they encountered gusts and downdrafts. He reported that the instructor took the controls, and as they approached the rising terrain, he asked if he should reduce the flaps, which were full down. The instructor said no, and began a left turn to avoid hitting the lodge. He said the airplane settled into the trees, and collided with the wash house. He stated that the airplane sustained damage to the fuselage and both wings.