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NTSB Report
April 9, 1991 · Piper PA-18-150 · N6966D
Tatitlek, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 9, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 1 uninjured
Location
Tatitlek, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N6966D
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC91FA050
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLTS OF ABT 50 FISH SPOTTING ACFT WERE FLYING IN THE VCNTY OF BOULDER BAY, CIRCLING & WAITING FOR OPENING OF HERRING FISHING. EACH SPOTTING PLT WAS TEAMED WITH ASSOCIATED FISHING VESSELS. THE SPOTTING PLTS WERE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE FISHING VESSELS, BUT NOT WITH EACH OTHER. SUBSEQUENTLY, 2 OF THE ACFT (PIPER PA-18, N6966D & CESSNA 305A, N5193G) CONVERGED & COLLIDED. THE PA-18 PLT SAID THAT HE HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED IN LEVEL FLT FOR ABT 1 MI AT 1200' & 85 TO 88 KTS WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. JUST BEFORE IMPACT, HE NOTED THE CESSNA 305 CONVERGING FROM HIS LEFT REAR QUARTER, SLIGHTLY LOW, & IN A SLIGHT LEFT BANK. AFTER IMPACT, THE CESSNA WENT OUT OF CONTROL & CRASHED ON MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PA-18 SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO ITS FUSELAGE & FLOAT/STRUT SYS, BUT THE PLT WAS ABLE TO LAND SUCCESSFULLY.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO SEE-AND-AVOID EACH OTHER (INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT). A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: INADEQUATE COMMUNICATIONS AMONG ALL PARTICIPATING AIRCREWS.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLTS OF ABT 50 FISH SPOTTING ACFT WERE FLYING IN THE VCNTY OF BOULDER BAY, CIRCLING & WAITING FOR OPENING OF HERRING FISHING. EACH SPOTTING PLT WAS TEAMED WITH ASSOCIATED FISHING VESSELS. THE SPOTTING PLTS WERE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE FISHING VESSELS, BUT NOT WITH EACH OTHER. SUBSEQUENTLY, 2 OF THE ACFT (PIPER PA-18, N6966D & CESSNA 305A, N5193G) CONVERGED & COLLIDED. THE PA-18 PLT SAID THAT HE HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED IN LEVEL FLT FOR ABT 1 MI AT 1200' & 85 TO 88 KTS WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. JUST BEFORE IMPACT, HE NOTED THE CESSNA 305 CONVERGING FROM HIS LEFT REAR QUARTER, SLIGHTLY LOW, & IN A SLIGHT LEFT BANK. AFTER IMPACT, THE CESSNA WENT OUT OF CONTROL & CRASHED ON MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PA-18 SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO ITS FUSELAGE & FLOAT/STRUT SYS, BUT THE PLT WAS ABLE TO LAND SUCCESSFULLY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway30
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN6966D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150 | Continental · O-470-11 · Reciprocating · 213
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 1 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class
Crew 2Age 56 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT