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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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July 29, 1985 · Piper PA-18 · N14159

Drift River, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 29, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Drift River, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N14159
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC85LA137

APLN CRASHED ON GRAVEL BAR AFTER WING TIP HIT GROUND DURING LOW ALT TURN. THE UNLICESED PLT STATED THAT HE WA S IN HIS SECOND 360 DEG TURN & HIT HIS OWN WAKE TURBULENCE.

Full Narrative

APLN CRASHED ON GRAVEL BAR AFTER WING TIP HIT GROUND DURING LOW ALT TURN. THE UNLICESED PLT STATED THAT HE WA S IN HIS SECOND 360 DEG TURN & HIT HIS OWN WAKE TURBULENCE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN14159
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 15 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingOvercast 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data