# Accident 20230910014769A: Piper/Gerbi Charles R PA 18-150, Excursion Inlet, AK, September 10, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 10, 2023, 17:30 local time
- Place: Excursion Inlet, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 58.5967° N, 135.5156° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.5967&lon=-135.5156&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4900C, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4900C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper/Gerbi Charles R PA 18-150 (registry code 7101851, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-gerbi-charles-r-pa-18-150) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (registry code 42101, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER/GERBI CHARLES R PA 18-150
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-320-A2B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Student
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC23LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA081) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230910014769A

## Narrative

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

THE AIRMAN STATED HE DEPARTED HIS CABIN NEAR GUSTAVUS AND WAS ENROUTE TO ENDICOTT RIVER WILDERNESS AREA. HE CRASHED INTO THE MOUNTAINSIDE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES NE OF GUSTAVUS AIRPORT. HE REMEMBERS VERY LITTLE OF THE ACCIDENT BUT STATED HE RECALLS WHAT HE FELT LIKE, BEING IN A DOWNDRAFT. THE NEXT THING HE REMEMBERS WAS TRYING TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION KEY BUT REALIZED IT WAS NOT THERE AS THE ENTIRE DASH OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS RIPPED AWAY AFTER IMPACT. THE COAST GUARD RESCUED THE PILOT AND TRANSPORTED HIM TO THE JUNEAU AIRPORT WHERE HE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE NEXT THING THE PILOT REMEMBERED WAS BEING IN THE BELLEVUE HOSPITAL IN SEATTLE.

## 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 ANC23LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA081), Sep 11, 2023: Piper/Gerbi Charles R PA 18-150 (N4900C), Juneau, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude after the airplane encountered a downdraft while maneuvering over an area of hilly terrain.

## Other reports on N4900C (1)

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

- [Accident 20201202017759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201202017759A), Dec 2, 2020: Piper/Gerbi Charles R PA 18-150 (N4900C), Juneau, AK, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Landed N4900C at jnu shortly after 4 pm in strong winds with no issue. During taxi, a strong crosswind lifted the aircraft's right wing…

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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