# Accident 20151016017959A: Piper PA-18-150, Sulua Bay, AK, October 16, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 16, 2015, 13:00 local time
- Place: Sulua Bay, AK
- Airport: Sulua Bay
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft: N4336Z, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4336Z-2016-10-11) (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: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 6,800 total, 350 in this make and model, 270 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA16CA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA021) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151016017959A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A BEACH IN SULUA BAY.  TO DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF THE BEACH, THE PILOT ELECTED TO "DRAG" THE BEACH WITH HIS MAIN TIRES.  WHEN ADDING POWER TO TAKE OFF, THE RIGHT TIRE WAS DRAGGING IN THE SAND AND ROTATED THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RIGHT, HITTING THE WING TIP.  THE PILOT RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST.

## 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 GAA16CA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA021), Oct 16, 2015: Piper PA 18-150 (N4336Z), Old Harbor, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in a collision with terrain.

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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