U-FITAQP: 12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS

Piper PA-18 | N645DT

Moose Pass, Alaska

  • DTSB analysis published
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Key facts

  • DateJune 18, 2024
  • Local time2:10 PM
  • LightDay
  • WeatherVMC
  • Phase of flightManeuvering
  • People on board2
  • Fatalities2
  • NTSB numberANC24FA052
  • NTSB statusUnder investigation

Accident Location

City, State
Moose Pass, Alaska
Latitude
60.45457
Longitude
-149.48339

Aircraft Info

N Number
N645DT
Make
Piper
Model
PA-18
Category / Class
Aircraft Single Engine Sea
Amateur Built
No

Pilot Info

Pilot in command
Kondrat, Paul
Gender
Male
Age
41
Certification
Commercial Pilot
IFR rating
Yes
Medical
1st Class Medical
Flight school
No
Instructional flight
Yes

Analysis

Weather
VMC
Time of day
Day
Phase of flight
Maneuvering
Pilot error
Yes
Pilot incapacitation
No
People on board
2
PIC fatality
1
Passenger fatalities
1
Total fatalities
2
NTSB number
ANC24FA052
NTSB travel
Unknown

Probable Cause

THE DTSB

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the CFI of the aircraft allowed the student to exceed the critical angle of attach during the water based instructional flight liftoff. The aircraft was observed to pitch up at a very low speed, and then roll left, impacting the water left wing low.

NTSB

None yet (final report not yet published).

Recommendation

THE DTSB

The DTSB recommends that all instructors in all aircraft be very careful during operations with students when excess altitude is not available for correction or recovery. The DTSB recommends that acquisition of DMMS immediately after takeoff as soon as practicable.

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