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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 25, 1994 · Piper PA-18-160 · N7513K

Galena, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Galena, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-160
Tail Number
N7513K
Operator
Napflin Erich
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA312

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON A GRAVEL BAR IN A RIVER AT HIS HUNTING BASE CAMP. DURING THE APPROACH HE NOTED THAT HE WOULD BE LANDING WITH A LEFT TO RIGHT CROSS WIND. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, HE RAISED THE FLAPS AND APPLIED BRAKES. AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE TAIL CAME UP AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. AFTER EXTRICATING HIMSELF FROM THE AIRPLANE AND WALKING BACK TO THE BASE CAMP, HE NOTICED THAT THE WIND WAS VARIABLE AND HAD SHIFTED TO A TAIL WIND. HE ESTIMATED THE WIND SPEED TO BE 15, GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE USE OF BRAKES DURING LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WINDS AT THE REMOTE LANDING AREA.

Full Narrative

On September 24, 1994, approximately 1645 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18-160, N7513K, was substantially damaged during landing near Galena, Alaska. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot was on a local flight when he decided to land at his hunting base camp on the Dulbi River. The landing area was a gravel bar in the river. The pilot estimated that it was 800 feet by 35 feet at its narrowest. The river banks were vegetated with trees and brush. He stated that he set up his normal approach to the gravel bar and noted on the homemade wind indicator that he would be landing with a left to right cross wind. He further stated that, after touchdown, he raised the flaps and applied the brakes. As he applied the brakes the tail came up and the airplane nosed over onto its back. He said that after extricating himself from the airplane and walking to the hunting camp, he noticed the wind appeared to be shifting frequently and had changed into a tail wind. He estimated the wind speed to be about 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-160
Tail NumberN7513K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNapflin Erich
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data