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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

October 4, 1993 · Piper PA-18 · N2765A

Bear Creek, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 4, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Bear Creek, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N2765A
Operator
Johnson Elmer A
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC94LA004

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND IN A TAIL WIND WITH THE CARBURETOR HEAT SELECTED. THE DEGRADED ENGINE POWER LIMITED CLIMB PERFORMANCE OUT OF GROUND EFFECT AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE TERRAIN ABOUT 600 FEET BEYOND THE TOUCHDOWN POINT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S DELAYED GO-AROUND PROCEDURE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE GO-AROUND.

Full Narrative

On October 4, 1993, at 1520 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 Supercub airplane, N2765A, crashed into a riverbank during an attempted go-around maneuver. The location of the accident was approximately 60 miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska, at a location known as "the short Bear Creek Strip." The flight had departed Fairbanks, Alaska, at approximately 1430 in visual meteorological conditions operating under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal reasons. No flight plan was filed. The pilot and passenger, the sole occupants, received minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The passenger told the NTSB that during the approach from the north to a 650 foot gravel strip, "a tail wind of about 8 mph" was encountered and the pilot "overshot the touchdown spot by about 150 feet." He said when the pilot attempted to go-around "it felt like he wasn't getting full power, like the carb heat was on." The passenger said that the airplane "did not climb and the wheels hit the four foot bank on the other side of the creek and we turned over." The airplane was reportedly equipped with 30 inch "Airstreak" tundra balloon tires. No statement was received from the pilot and no information was received regarding his pilot certificate information or experience.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN2765A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohnson Elmer A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 8 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data