# Accident 19970708017179A: Piper PA18150, Cantwell, AK, July 8, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 8, 1997, 13:30 local time
- Place: Cantwell, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: EOGA
- Location: 63.0104° N, 149.4008° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0104&lon=-149.4008&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3952Z, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3952Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18-150 (registry code 7101828, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-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
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 14,800 total, 6,100 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC97LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA100) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970708017179A

## Narrative

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

(.4)THE AIR TAXI PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE APPROACHING A MOUNTAIN RIDGE FROM BELOW. BOTH OCCUPANTS DESCRIBED CONDITIONS FAVORING A DOWNSLOPE WIND AND TURBULENCE AT THE RIDGE.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN WHEN HE REALIZED THEY WOULD NOT CLEAR THE RIDGE, BUT THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED AND IMPACTED TERRAIN.  THE AIRPLANE WAS ESTIMATED TO WEIGH 1,827 POUNDS AT THE TIME OF THE LAST TAKEOFF.  THE MAXIMUM TAKEOFF WEIGHT IS 1,760 POUNDS.  THE ELEVATION AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS 4,500 FEET MSL.

## 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 ANC97LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA100), Jul 8, 1997: Piper PA-18-160 (N3952Z), Cantwell, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear terrain. Factors were exceeding the airplane's maximum allowable gross weight, and downdrafts and turbulence associated with wind flowing…

## Other reports on N3952Z (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19841001052809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841001052809A), Oct 1, 1984: Piper PA18150 (N3952Z), Ohio Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Right main wheel adaptor separated on landing. Caused loss of directional control, nosed over.
- [Accident 19750325009889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750325009889A), Mar 25, 1975: Piper PA18150 (N3952Z), Cantwell, AK, Substantial damage. Wet,sticky snow. Ski eqpd.

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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