# Accident 20110319006569A: Piper PA-18A-150, Beluga Lake, AK, March 19, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 19, 2011, 12:00 local time
- Place: Beluga Lake, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 60.5147° N, 152.0883° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5147&lon=-152.0883&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3573P, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3573P) (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 PA-18A-150
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC11CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA020) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110319006569A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT DEPARTED THE LAKE HOOD STRIP IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA ON 3-19-2011 AND DID NOT FILE A FLIGHT PLAN.  THE PILOT LANDED ON A GLACIER APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES WEST OF ANCHORAGE, DUG A SKI INTO THE SNOW, AND FLIPPED THE AIRPLANE UNTO ITS BACK.  HIS 121.5 ELT ACTIVATED BUT WAS NOT PICKED UP.  THE PILOT STARTED HIKING OFF THE GLACIER AND WAS PICKED UP FOUR DAYS LATER BY THE ALASKA AIR NATIONAL GUARD.

## 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 ANC11CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA020), Mar 19, 2011: Piper PA-18A 150 (N3573P), Beluga Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to land on unsuitable terrain, resulting in the airplane nosing over.

## Other reports on N3573P (3)

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

- [Incident 20250909017449I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250909017449I), Sep 9, 2025: Piper PA-18A 150 (N3573P), Mcgrath, AK, Minor damage. The incident took place near Mcgrath at madison creek. Pilot was taxiing on the runway and was attempting to turn the aircraft to position for takeoff. The…
- [Accident 20031011026589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031011026589A), Oct 11, 2003: Piper PA18A150 (N3573P), Ketchikan, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) While practicing landing in the pattern aircraft veered to the right at touchdown. Pilot overcorrected then tried to initiate a go-around. Aircraft…
- [Accident 19730902033899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730902033899A), Sep 2, 1973: Piper PA18A150 (N3573P), Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Tkof from sand bar. Carb heat ctl arm came loose at heat box. Settled into grnd.

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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