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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 12, 1989 · Piper PA-18 · N3680Z

Trading Bay, AK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Trading Bay, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N3680Z
Operator
James Driskell
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC89LA162

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE & THE PASSENGER FLEW TO TRADING BAY TO DUCK HUNT. HE INTENDED TO LAND ON A GRASSY FLAT WHERE HE HAD PREVIOUSLY LANDED. THERE HAD BEEN HEAVY RAIN IN THE AREA BEFORE HE ARRIVED & ONE TO TWO INCHES OF STANDING WATER WAS ON THE LANDING AREA. DRG THE LANDING, HIS BRAKES WERE NOT EFFECTIVE, SO HE ELECTED TO GO AROUND. HE RPRTD THAT AS THE ACFT WAS LIFTING OFF TO GO AROUND, IT HIT A STUMP, BUT CONTINUED FLYING. HE HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE ACFT, SO HE DISCONTINUED THE GO-AROUND & LANDED ON TIDAL FLATS WHERE THE ACFT WAS FURTHER DAMAGED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR HIS INTENDED LANDING AREA. WET TERRAIN/HYDROPLANING CONDITIONS IN THE INITIAL TOUCHDOWN AREA AND AN OBJECT (STUMP) CONTRIBUTED TO THE OCCURRENCE.

Full Narrative

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE & THE PASSENGER FLEW TO TRADING BAY TO DUCK HUNT. HE INTENDED TO LAND ON A GRASSY FLAT WHERE HE HAD PREVIOUSLY LANDED. THERE HAD BEEN HEAVY RAIN IN THE AREA BEFORE HE ARRIVED & ONE TO TWO INCHES OF STANDING WATER WAS ON THE LANDING AREA. DRG THE LANDING, HIS BRAKES WERE NOT EFFECTIVE, SO HE ELECTED TO GO AROUND. HE RPRTD THAT AS THE ACFT WAS LIFTING OFF TO GO AROUND, IT HIT A STUMP, BUT CONTINUED FLYING. HE HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE ACFT, SO HE DISCONTINUED THE GO-AROUND & LANDED ON TIDAL FLATS WHERE THE ACFT WAS FURTHER DAMAGED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN3680Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames Driskell
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data