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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

April 17, 1988 · Piper PA-18-150 · N4177Z

Palmer, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 17, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Palmer, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N4177Z
Operator
Edwin P Depriest
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC88FA045

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS A CERTIFICATED AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT MECHANIC WHO WAS WORKING ON THE AIRPLANE. THE OWNER STATED THAT THE MECHANIC WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT'S BROTHER STATED HE HAD JUST DISEMBARKED FROM THE AIRPLANE AFTER A SHORT FLIGHT. HE WATCHED THE TAKEOFF AND SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF ABRUPTLY AND ALMOST STRUCK A METAL MARKING STAKE. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED BRIEFLY, THEN ENTERED A STEEP RIGHT BANK THEN THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE FELL AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS A CERTIFICATED AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT MECHANIC WHO WAS WORKING ON THE AIRPLANE. THE OWNER STATED THAT THE MECHANIC WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT'S BROTHER STATED HE HAD JUST DISEMBARKED FROM THE AIRPLANE AFTER A SHORT FLIGHT. HE WATCHED THE TAKEOFF AND SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF ABRUPTLY AND ALMOST STRUCK A METAL MARKING STAKE. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED BRIEFLY, THEN ENTERED A STEEP RIGHT BANK THEN THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE FELL AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 AKDT
Nearest AirportFarm Field (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN4177Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEdwin P Depriest
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 10 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 21 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data