# Accident 20030516012419A: Piper PA18150, Aniak, AK, May 16, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 16, 2003, 09:00 local time
- Place: Aniak, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: U7GC
- Location: 60.5833° N, 159.5000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5833&lon=-159.5000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9877D, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9877D) (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 O320*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 8,000 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC03LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA049) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030516012419A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON MAY 16, 2003, ABOUT 0900 ALASKA DAYLIGHT TIME, A TUNDRA TIRE-EQUIPPED PIPER PA-18-150 AIRPLANE, N9877D, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN, ABOUT 50 MILES SOUTH OF ANIAK, ALASKA. THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING OPERATED BY THE PILOT AS A VISUAL FLIGHT RULES (VFR) FLIGHT UNDER TITLE 14, CFR PART 91, WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE SOLO COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED. DURING A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) INVESTIGATOR ON JUNE 23, 2003, THE PILOT SAID HE HAD JUST TAKEN OFF FROM AN UNIMPROVED LANDING STRIP. AFTER ESTABLISHING A CRUISE CONDITION AT 50' ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL) HE UNBUCKLED HIS SEATBELT AND SHOULDER HARNESS TO FACILITATE ADJUSTING HIS SEATBACK CUSHION. AS HE LEANED FORWARD THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DESCEND AND IN ATTEMPTING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT HIS HAND BECAME ENSNARLED IN THE SHOULDER HARNESS, PREVENTING HIM FROM REGAINING CONTROL PRIOR TO COLLISION WITH LEVEL TERRAIN. HE SAID BOTH WINGS, LANDING GEAR, AND THE FUSELAGE WAS DAMAGED IN THE COLLISION.

## 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 ANC03LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA049), May 16, 2003: Piper PA-18-160 (N9877D), Aniak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering, which resulted in the airplane colliding with terrain. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted…

## Other reports on N9877D (1)

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

- [Accident 20140913017389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140913017389A), Sep 13, 2014: Piper PA-18-150 (N9877D), Akiak, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he side-loaded the landing gear upon landing in a strong gusty crosswind. The pilot landed hard on the downwind tire as the wind picked up…

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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