# Accident 20240831013089A: Piper PA-18-150, Mcgrath, AK, August 31, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 31, 2024, 09:53 local time
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Airport: Mc Grath
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 62.0081° N, 154.8031° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0081&lon=-154.8031&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7154Z, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7154Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18-150 (registry code 7101828, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC24FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA085) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240831013089A

## Narrative

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

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED FROM A REMOTE HUNTING BASE CAMP AT ABOUT 0930 AND TRAVELED TO A 2,500 FT. RIDGE ABOUT 2.5 MILES AWAY TO DROP OFF SUPPLIES TO HUNTING GUIDE; THE PILOT WAS PLANNING TO CONTINUE TO MCGRATH FOR FUEL AFTERWARDS. ACCORDING TO THE GUIDE, THE AIRPLANE FLEW OVER THEIR CAMP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE FLYING FURTHER UP THE RIDGE AND EXECUTED SEVERAL SLOW AND LOW PASSES OF

THE RIDGE IN AN X PATTERN LIKELY TRYING TO DETERMINE WIND AND LANDING CONDITIONS. THE PILOT HAD LANDED ON THIS RIDGE MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS; THIS WAS THE FIRST LANDING OF THE SEASON HERE. THE GUIDE REPORTED THE WINDS TO BE ABOUT 15 MPH FROM THE NORTHEAST AND GOOD VISIBILITY. THE GUIDE SAID THE AIRPLANE WAS TRAVELING SLOW AND LOW LEVEL ON A SOUTHWEST HEADING AND WAS

BEGINNING A RIGHT TURN TO THE NORTHEAST. AS THE AIRPLANE BEGAN WHAT THE GUIDE THOUGHT TO BE A RIGHT BASE TO FINAL TURN, HE LOST SITE OF THE AIRPLANE. HOWEVER, HE COULD STILL HEAR THE ENGINE. HE REPORTED HEARING THE ENGINE CALL FOR A LOT OF POWER TWICE AND ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER HE HEARD THE AIRPLANE IMPACT THE GROUND. THE GUIDE APPROACHED THE ACCIDENT AND FOUND THE PILOT UNCONSCIOUS AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER SUCCUMBED TO HIS INJURIES.

THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATOR-IN-CHARGE TRAVELED WITH THE ALASKA STATE

TROOPERS TO THE REMOTE CRASH SITE ON SEPTEMBER 1. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND NOSED DOWN, IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE, ON A NORTHEAST HEADING ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE RIDGE. THE WINGS REMAINED PARTIALLY ATTACHED AND THE TAIL WAS BENT SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. CONTROL CABLE CONTINUITY FROM THE AILERONS, FLAPS AND RUDDER WERE INTACT TO THE FUSELAGE, AND FUEL WAS PRESENT IN THE FUEL LINES.

THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE HAS BEEN RECOVERED FROM THE REMOTE SITE, A DETAILED POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED.

## 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 ANC24FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA085), Aug 31, 2024: Piper PA-18-150 (N7154Z), McGrath, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.

## Other reports on N7154Z (1)

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

- [Accident 20120714016889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120714016889A), Jul 14, 2012: Piper PA-18-150 (N7154Z), Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was performing a takeoff from a lake north of Kenai, AK for his return to anchorage, AK. The pilot had arrived several hours previous to the accident…

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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