Piper PA-18-150 accident near Oak Harbor, Washington, October 13, 2004
On October 13, 2004 at about 9:50 pm local time, a Piper PA-18-150, registered N6410W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Oak Harbor, Washington (Oak Harbor Air Park airport). It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 13, 2004 · about 9:50 pm local time
- Place
- Oak Harbor, Washington · Oak Harbor Air Park · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18-150 · all PA-18-150s on the register
- Registration
- N6410W · registry record · serial 18-8178
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
In a written statement, and subsequent interview, the pilot reported that this was the airplane's first flight following a complete restoration and that he intended to fly in the local area to evaluate the airplane's systems. He further stated that he was unable to recall any of the detailed events associated with the flight operation. The airplane wreckage was located on the airfield approximately 700 feet west and 200 feet north of the threshold of runway 25. The airplane impacted terrain in a nose low attitude and came to rest in the inverted position. Witnesses observed the airplane taxi from the hangar area to the runway. The witnesses stated that they observed the pilot performing a run-up, however they did not witness the takeoff or crash. Post accident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a pre-impact mechanical failure or malfunction.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 6,200 hours in all; 4,087 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: May 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 76S Oak Harbor WA at 9:50 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 3,255 ft by 25 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 300 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from KNUW, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.