# Accident 19960921029259A: Piper PA18150, Noatak, AK, September 21, 1996

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 21, 1996, 13:00 local time
- Place: Noatak, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Roll-Out (Fixed Wing)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 67.5691° N, 162.9994° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.5691&lon=-162.9994&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9366D, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9366D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper/Sorensen PA-18-150 (registry code 7101829, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-sorensen-pa-18-150) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18150
- Reported engine: LYC O320A2B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 5,183 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 175 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC96LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA167) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960921029259A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.4) ON SEPTEMBER 21, 1996, AT 1300 ALASKA DAYLIGHT TIME, A WHEEL EQUIPPED PIPER PA-18 AIRPLANE, N9366D, REGISTERED TO AND OPERATED BY THE PILOT, NOSED OVER DURING AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING ON A MOUNTAIN RIDGE NEAR NOATAK, ALASKA. THE BUSINESS FLIGHT, OPERATING UNDER 14 CFR PART 91 FOR THE PURPOSE OF HUNT GUIDING, DEPARTED A REMOTE FIELD SITE AND THE DESTINATION WAS THE LOCATION OF THE ACCIDENT. NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED AND VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED. THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NOT INJURED. THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. DURING A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH THE PILOT ON OCTOBER 7, 1996, HE STATED THAT IT HAD SNOWED APPROXIMATELY 18 INCHES ON THE MOUNTAIN RIDGE. HIS GUIDE AND CLIENT STAMPED OUT A LANDING AREA AND ESTIMATED THE STAMPED DOWN SNOW TO BE 2 TO 3 INCHES DEEP. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE AND DURING THE ROLL OUT THE AIRPLANE'S WHEELS HIT A SMALL DEPRESSION WHERE THE SNOW WAS 8 TO 10 INCHES DEEP. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND BENT THE PROPELLER AND A WING LIFT STRUT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC96LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA167), Sep 21, 1996: Piper PA-18 (N9366D), Noatak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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