# Accident 20200407003829A: Piper PA-18A, Sylvester Glaci, AK, April 7, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 7, 2020, 12:39 local time
- Place: Sylvester Glaci, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.5397° N, 147.1344° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5397&lon=-147.1344&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: 400 total, 350 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC20CA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA041) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200407003829A

## Narrative

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

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 BELIEVED TO BE DESCENDING TERRAIN.  PILOT STATES THAT SHE RECALLS THE SKIS CONTACTING THE TERRAIN CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO BOUNCE AND STRIKE A SNOW DRIFT.  AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ON THE GLACIER WITH THE RIGHT WING BECOMING SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE.  PILOT STATES THAT WHILE WAITING TO BE PICKED UP, SHE NOTICED THAT THE WIND WAS STRONGER THAN SHE HAD GAUGED AND THAT THE TERRAIN APPEARED TO BE DESCENDING LESS RAPIDLY THAN SHE'D GAUGED FROM THE AIR..

## 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 ANC20CA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA041), Apr 7, 2020: Piper PA 18A (N2791P), Chickaloon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which necessitated a go-around, and her subsequent failure to maintain clearance from rising mountainous terrain.

## 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 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…
- [Accident 20151221020179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151221020179A), Dec 21, 2015: Piper PA-18A (N2791P), Girdwood, AK, Substantial damage. 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…

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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