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NTSB Report
August 10, 1992 · Piper PA-18 · N6592L
Bettles, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 10, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Bettles, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N6592L
Operator
Robert J Sept
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC92LA136
THE AIRPLANE CRASHED AT THE 3300 FOOT LEVEL ON A MOUNTAINSIDE WITH AN APPROXIMATE 30 DEGREE GRADIENT. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS ON APPROACH TO LAND ON THE MOUNTAINSIDE, AND THE AIRPLANE ' TOUCHED DOWN EARLY'. THE PASSENGER SAID THEY WERE PLANNING TO FLY THROUGH A PASS TO THEIR FRONT, AND THE AIRPLANE GOT 'TOO LOW AND TOO SLOW', THEN COULD NOT OUT CLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN. THE HELICOPTER PILOT WHO RECOVERED THE WRECKAGE SAID THERE WERE NO SUITABLE LANDING AREAS NEARBY.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE WHILE OPERATING IN THE MOUNTAINS. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE CRASHED AT THE 3300 FOOT LEVEL ON A MOUNTAINSIDE WITH AN APPROXIMATE 30 DEGREE GRADIENT. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS ON APPROACH TO LAND ON THE MOUNTAINSIDE, AND THE AIRPLANE ' TOUCHED DOWN EARLY'. THE PASSENGER SAID THEY WERE PLANNING TO FLY THROUGH A PASS TO THEIR FRONT, AND THE AIRPLANE GOT 'TOO LOW AND TOO SLOW', THEN COULD NOT OUT CLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN. THE HELICOPTER PILOT WHO RECOVERED THE WRECKAGE SAID THERE WERE NO SUITABLE LANDING AREAS NEARBY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN6592L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert J Sept
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 7 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO