# Accident 20120718015229A: Piper PA-18-150, Valdez, AK, July 18, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 18, 2012, 15:30 local time
- Place: Valdez, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.0689° N, 147.9086° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0689&lon=-147.9086&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3764Z, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3764Z) (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 PA-18-150
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 500 total, 300 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC12CA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA076) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120718015229A

## Narrative

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

AIRMAN LANDED HIS AIRCRAFT ON THE COGHILL RIVER GRAVEL BAR. THIS WAS HIS FIRST TRIP TO THAT GRAVEL BAR THIS YEAR AND HAS ONLY BEEN THERE 5 OR 6 TIMES TOTAL IN THE PAST. AIRMAN STATED THAT HE FLEW OVER THE LANDING SITE TWICE TO SURVEY THE CONDITIONS OF THE 450 TO 500 FOOT LANDING AREA. THERE WAS DEBRIS IN THE AREA HE USUALLY USES AND BECAUSE OF THAT HE AIMED A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT TO GIVE HIMSELF SOME EXTRA LANDING DISTANCE. THERE WAS ALDER BRUSH THAT WAS HIGHER THAN HE ESTIMATED DURING HIS SURVEY FROM THE AIR, AND WHEN HE LANDED, HE HIT THE RIGHT WING WITH THE BRUSH CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND STARTING A GROUND LOOP. HE WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE WATER THAT HE FIGURED IT WAS BEST TO CONTINUE THE GROUND LOOP TO AVOID GOING INTO THE RIVER. AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS TURNING IN THE LOOP, THE OVERSIZED TUNDRA TIRES DUG INTO THE SOFT GRAVEL CAUSING AN ABRUPT STOP. THIS CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO TIP OVER ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE DAMAGING THE OUTBOARD PART OF THE LEFT WING FROM ITS STRUT ATTACHMENT POINT OUTWARD AND THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THIS DAMAGE COMPROMISED THE AIRCRAFT'S STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY.

## 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 ANC12CA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA076), Jul 18, 2012: Piper PA-18-150 (N3764Z), Whittier, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from brush during landing, which resulted in a loss of control.

## Other reports on N3764Z (2)

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

- [Accident 20180614007869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180614007869A), Jun 14, 2018: Piper PA-18-150 (N3764Z), Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Part 91 noncommercial recreational practice flight. Normal preflight weather and airfield information was reviewed along with preflight and fuel service. At…
- [Accident 20060909020039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060909020039A), Sep 9, 2006: Piper PA18150 (N3764Z), Eagle, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Upon landing on a 500 foot gravel strip, pilot overapplied brakes and aircraft flipped over onto back. Pilot had recently installed boosters on his…

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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