# Accident 20230915015129A: Piper PA-18-150, Mcgrath, AK, September 15, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 15, 2023, 18:30 local time
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Airport: Tin Creek
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 62.9463° N, 155.5284° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.9463&lon=-155.5284&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1755P, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1755P) (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: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 977 total, 937 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC23LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA083) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230915015129A

## Narrative

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

ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2023, AROUND 6:30 PM LOCAL ALASKA TIME, A PIPER PA-18 AIRCRAFT WITH REGISTRATION ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A GRAVEL STRIP LOCATED AT THE SOUTH END OF FAREWELL LAKE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY AT COORDINATES N62°32’33”, AND W153°37’00”. THE RUNWAY, ORIENTED SOUTHEAST, WAS ABOUT 1600 FEET LONG. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THE WIND TO BE BLOWING FROM THE SOUTHWEST AT 20-25 KNOTS. BEFORE ATTEMPTING THE LANDING, THE PILOT CONDUCTED MULTIPLE OVERFLIGHTS OF THE INTENDED LANDING AREA TO ASSESS THE CONDITIONS. DURING THE LANDING APPROACH, THE PILOT REDUCED THE AIRSPEED TO ABOUT 40 MPH (35 KNOTS). HOWEVER, THE STRONG RIGHT CROSSWIND PUSHED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE CENTERLINE, AND DUE TO THE LOW AIRSPEED, THE PILOT LACKED SUFFICIENT RUDDER CONTROL TO COUNTER THE CROSSWIND EFFECTIVELY. CONSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED LEFT, AND THE LEFT WING STRUCK DENSE VEGETATION AND BIRCH TREES AT THE UPWIND EDGE OF THE RUNWAY. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO ROTATE 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT, LEADING TO A PROPELLER STRIKE. THE RIGHT-WING ALSO MADE CONTACT WITH ADDITIONAL BRUSH AND TREES, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO BOTH WINGS AND THE PROPELLER.

## 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 ANC23LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA083), Sep 16, 2023: Piper PA-18-150 (N1755P), McGrath, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during after encountering a wind gust during landing that resulted in an impact with terrain.

## Other reports on N1755P (4)

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

- [Accident 20050911024379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050911024379A), Sep 11, 2005: Piper PA18150 (N1755P), Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated he landed uphill toward the west, and about 20 feet after touch down, a gust of wind lifted the tail of the airplane. The nose of the…
- [Accident 20040411005379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040411005379A), Apr 11, 2004: Piper PA18150 (N1755P), Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] on April 11, 2004, at 0800 local time, N1755P veered off the right side of runway 19L after touchdown. During the 3 point landing…
- [Accident 20000725042349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000725042349A), Jul 25, 2000: Piper PA18150 (N1755P), Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 25, 2000, at approximately 1130 local time, alvin fulton while acting as pilot in command of a Piper PA-18, N1755P while landing on rwy 34 in…
- [Accident 19761105036189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19761105036189A), Nov 5, 1976: Piper PA18150 (N1755P), Mccarthy, AK, Substantial damage. Log hidden under snow

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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