# Accident 20230912022739A: Piper PA-18-150, Saint Marys, AK, September 12, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 12, 2023, 20:35 local time
- Place: Saint Marys, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: NZYC
- Location: 62.8637° N, 161.7726° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.8637&lon=-161.7726&mi=10
- Aircraft: N109T, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N109T) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18-150 (registry code 7101828, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-290 series (registry code 41506, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 6,707 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC23FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA074) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230912022739A

## Narrative

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

THE AIRPLANE WAS LOADED AND ATTEMPTED TO DEPART WITH THE WEIGHT ABOVE THE MAXIMUM CERTIFICATED GROSS WEIGHT. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TERRAIN AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND (PIC) WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT ON BOARD AND WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED 65NM NOTHEAST OF ST. MARYS, ALASKA.

## 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 ANC23FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA074), Sep 13, 2023: Piper PA-18-150 (N109T), St. Mary's, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum certificated gross weight, and his installation of an unapproved external load that degraded takeoff performance and flight…

## Other reports on N109T (1)

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

- [Accident 20170926021179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170926021179A), Sep 26, 2017: Piper PA-18-150 (N109T), Holy Cross, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was landing on hilltop ridge line and caught wheel in hole flipping the aircraft. Damage reported was rudder and propeller. This is an off field area.…

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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