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NTSB Report
July 12, 1987 · Piper PA-18 · N159T
Sheep Mountain, AK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 1987
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Sheep Mountain, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N159T
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC87FA095
THE PILOT AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS TOOK OFF IN A TWO PLACE PIPER PA-18 FROM A GLACIER AFTER DOING REPAIR WORK ON AN AIRCRAFT THAT HAD CRASHED THERE EARLIER. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DETERIORATING AS THEY APPROACHED THEIR DESTINATION AIRSTRIP LOCATED IN A NEARBY MOUNTAIN PASS. THE CEILING WAS ESTIMATED AT 200 FEET AGL, AND VISIBILITY AS BETWEEN 1/2 AND 3 MILES. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE FELT INTIMIDATED BY THE LOW CLOUDS AND RISING TERRAIN SURROUNDING THE AIRSTRIP AND THAT HE INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRCRAFT WHILE TURNING FROM DOWNWIND TO BASE LEG.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS TOOK OFF IN A TWO PLACE PIPER PA-18 FROM A GLACIER AFTER DOING REPAIR WORK ON AN AIRCRAFT THAT HAD CRASHED THERE EARLIER. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DETERIORATING AS THEY APPROACHED THEIR DESTINATION AIRSTRIP LOCATED IN A NEARBY MOUNTAIN PASS. THE CEILING WAS ESTIMATED AT 200 FEET AGL, AND VISIBILITY AS BETWEEN 1/2 AND 3 MILES. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE FELT INTIMIDATED BY THE LOW CLOUDS AND RISING TERRAIN SURROUNDING THE AIRSTRIP AND THAT HE INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRCRAFT WHILE TURNING FROM DOWNWIND TO BASE LEG.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 AKDT
Nearest AirportSheep Mountain (0nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN159T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 7 kt
CeilingOvercast 200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO