# Accident 20100514034239A: Piper PA-18-135, Willow, AK, May 14, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 14, 2010, 13:49 local time
- Place: Willow, AK
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.9117° N, 150.0833° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9117&lon=-150.0833&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1123, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1123-2012-05-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18-135 (registry code 7101820, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-290 series (registry code 41506, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-135
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC10FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10FA038) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100514034239A

## Narrative

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

ON 05/14/2010, AT 1349 AKDT, A PIPER PA-18 AIRCRAFT, N1123, WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT AT SUSITNA LANDING, MILE 82.5 OF THE PARKS HIGHWAY. INVESTIGATION INDICATED THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED RUSTIC WILDERNESS AIRSTRIP (02AK) SHORTLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. A WITNESS AT SUSITNA LANDING STATED HE OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHING FROM DOWNRIVER ON A HEADING OF 010, AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET. HE OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FLY OVER THE CAMPGROUND AND THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH A 65 FOOT TALL SPRUCE TREE SIX FEET FROM THE TOP, CAUSING SEVERE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE WING.  THE  AIRCRAFT MOMENTUM CARRIED IT AN ADDITIONAL 100 YARDS, WHERE IT WRAPPED AROUND SEVERAL LARGE BIRCH TREES AT GROUND LEVEL, DESTROYING THE AIRCRAFT. INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT ON SITE REVEALED NO KNOWN MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES, AND THE WITNESS STATED THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE WAS ONE EMPTY BEER CAN IN THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE PILOT HAD SEVERAL FULL CANS IN HIS JACKET POCKETS.

## 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 ANC10FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10FA038), May 14, 2010: Piper PA-18-135 (N1123), Willow, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree due to the effects of impairment from alcohol consumption.

## Other reports on N1123 (1)

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

- [Accident 19861017049259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861017049259A), Oct 17, 1986: Piper PA18135 (N1123), King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft rolled uncontrollably on takeoff and cartwheeled. Pilot and ATC misjudged spacing behind other traffic

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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