# Accident 20151221020179A: Piper PA-18A, Girdwood, AK, December 21, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 21, 2015, 13:30 local time
- Place: Girdwood, AK
- Airport: Girdwood
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 60.9400° N, 149.1500° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.9400&lon=-149.1500&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2791P, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2791P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18A (registry code 7101804, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (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
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 263 total, 206 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA16CA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA102) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151221020179A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT DEPARTED GIRDWOOD AIRPORT (AQV) TO THE SOUTH. PILOT STATED THEY WERE AT 3000 FT AGL APPROX 10 MILES FROM GIRDWOOD WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT PRODUCING POWER. PROP WAS STILL SPINNING. ACCOMPLISHED ONE RESTART WITH NO SUCCESS. LANDED AIRCRAFT ON SEWARD HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELLY MILE MARKER 89 WITH SUCCESSFUL ROLL OUT. RIGHT WING DAMAGED FROM STRIKING BRIDGE MARKER SIGNS . ATTEMPTED TO RESTART ENGINE AFTER LANDING WITH NO SUCCESS. PUSHED AIRCRAFT OFF HIGHWAY TO CLEAR TRAFFIC. MECHANIC FOUND WATER IN FUEL.

## 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 GAA16CA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA102), Dec 21, 2015: Piper PA 18A (N2791P), Girdwood, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel contamination resulting in the loss of engine power, a forced landing on a highway, and subsequent right wing impact with highway signage.

## Other reports on N2791P (3)

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

- [Incident 20220909009359I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220909009359I), Sep 9, 2022: Pa-18 SUPERCUB (N2791P), Mccarthy, AK, Minor damage. The pilot completed an aerial inspection of a commonly used gravel landing strip and observed some areas with standing water. The pilot made the decision to…
- [Accident 20200407003829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200407003829A), Apr 7, 2020: Piper PA-18A (N2791P), Sylvester Glaci, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot states that she had intended to land on the glacier with one passenger. Decided to perform a go-around and applied power while turning into what she…
- [Accident 20161013021859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161013021859A), Oct 13, 2016: Piper PA-18A (N2791P), Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. On landing rollout at the picnic table strip on the knik glacier the aircraft hit a depression. The tail came up and the PIC lost lateral control. She then…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.