# Accident 20160908021159A: Piper PA-18-150, Gulkana, AK, September 8, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 8, 2016, 17:00 local time
- Place: Gulkana, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 62.2031° N, 145.3956° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.2031&lon=-145.3956&mi=10
- Aircraft: N13833, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13833) (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
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 8,555 total, 3,034 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA16CA482](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA482) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160908021159A

## Narrative

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

ON 09/08/2016 AT APPROXIMATELY 1700 HOURS PIC WAS LOOKING FOR POSSIBLE AREAS TO LAND ALONG THE COPPER RIVER. HE DID A HIGH RECON OF THE GRAVEL BAR HE WAS GOING TO LAND ON, WHILE DOING A LOW RECON OF THE POTENTIAL LANDING SPOT THE PIC MISJUDGED THE DISTANCE FROM A TREE AND THE TREE IMPACTED THE LEFT OUTBOARD WING FORWARD OF THE AILERON AND THE AILERON. THE IMPACT TORE THE FABRIC AND BENT SOME OF THE ALUMINUM TUBING ON THE AILERON. AFTER THE IMPACT HE FLEW TO 1500 FEET AGL AND TESTED THE CONTROLLABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT. HE NOTICED A LITTLE MORE DRAG ON THE LEFT WING WHICH HE ATTRIBUTED TO THE TORN FABRIC. HE CONTINUED TO THE GULKANA AIRPORT AND HAD AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING.

## 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 GAA16CA482](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA482), Sep 9, 2016: Piper PA18 (N13833), Gulkana, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering at low altitude.

## Other reports on N13833 (2)

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

- [Accident 20050820022419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050820022419A), Aug 20, 2005: Piper PA18150 (N13833), Coldfoot, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) N13833 had landed on a remote gravel airstrip 80 NM n of cold foot Alaska and was taxiing to park next to other aircraft (witness statement) and…
- [Accident 19750415015649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750415015649A), Apr 15, 1975: Piper PA18150 (N13833), Rock Springs, WY, Destroyed. Advsd VFR flt couldnt be made. Recovery date 4/20/75.

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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