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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 8, 2003 · Piper PA-18-160 · N4418Z

Skwentna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 2003
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Skwentna, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-160
Tail Number
N4418Z
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC03LA111

The private pilot was attempting to fly over a 1,200 foot long, gravel-surfaced site before landing. He reported that as he maneuvered the airplane for the fly over, he applied 10 degrees of wing flaps, and a "downdraft came over the wings and stalled them both... ." The airplane subsequently struck the ground in a nose down attitude, and came to rest about 200 feet from the approach end of the intended landing site. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. A factor associated with the accident was a downdraft.

Full Narrative

On September 7, 2003, about 2010 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N4418Z, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control while maneuvering over a remote off-airport site, located approximately 25 miles southwest of Skwentna, Alaska. The private pilot/airplane owner sustained serious injuries, and the sole passenger sustained minor injuries. The Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight departed from a private airstrip located in Wasilla, Alaska, about 1830. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report (form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, he reported he intended to fly over a 1,200 foot long, gravel-surfaced site before attempting to land. He said that as he maneuvered the airplane for the fly over, he applied 10 degrees of wing flaps, and a "downdraft came over the wings and stalled them both..." Subsequently, the airplane struck the ground in a nose down attitude, and came to rest about 200 feet from the approach end of the intended landing site. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot noted that weather conditions at the time of the accident were, in part: Sky conditions and ceilings, clear; visibility, 20 statute miles; temperature, 50 degrees F; wind, calm. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:10 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-160
Tail NumberN4418Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data