# Accident 20050216001739A: Piper PA18A150, Talkeetna, AK, February 16, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 16, 2005, 17:00 local time
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Level Off Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 62.4908° N, 149.7000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4908&lon=-149.7000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9071D, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9071D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18A 150 (registry code 7101837, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-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 PA18A150
- Reported engine: LYC O320*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,150 total, 75 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC05LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05LA036) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050216001739A

## Narrative

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

(-23) WITHOUT A THOROUGH RECONNAISSANCE OF A SNOW COVERED LAKE, THE PILOT TOOK OFF AND HIT A SNOW DRIFT OR OTHER UNSEEN AND UNKNOWN OBSTACLE UNDER THE POWDER SNOW. THE LEFT SKI BUNGIE STRETCHED AND BROKE AND THE LEFT SKI SAFETY CABLE WAS TORN LOOSE. THE LEFT SKI TIPPED DOWN CAUSING EXTRAORDINARY DRAG. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BARELY CONTROLLABLE AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE LAKE AND LAND. UPON LANDING, THE TIPPED SKI DUG INTO THE SNOW CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO TIP OVER ONTO IT'S BACK.

## 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 ANC05LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05LA036), Feb 16, 2005: Piper PA-18 (N9071D), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in ski assembly damage during the takeoff run from a frozen, snow-covered lake, and subsequent nose over during an emergency…

## Other reports on N9071D (1)

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

- [Accident 19900519017349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900519017349A), May 19, 1990: Piper PA18A150 (N9071D), St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Switched tanks turning final after dropping banner. Engine quit. Nosed over in wheat field. Did not drain sumps.

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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