# Accident 20240915013629A: Piper PA-18-150, Palmer, AK, September 15, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 15, 2024, 14:50 local time
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.4421° N, 148.7222° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4421&lon=-148.7222&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4118Z, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4118Z) (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: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 5,220 total, 210 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC24LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA100) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240915013629A

## Narrative

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

PILOT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A LOOSE DZUS FASTENER THAT WAS ALLOWING A CARGO DOOR TO VIBRATE ON THE LEFT SIDE.  HE DIDN'T WANT TO RISK ANY DAMAGE TO THE DOOR OR PAINT SO HE DECIDED TO INITIATE A LANDING TO TIGHTEN THE FASTENER .  HE CHOSE A GRAVEL BAR ON THE KNIK RIVER AND OVERFLEW THE AREA THREE TIMES TO LOOK FOR OBSTACLES.  PILOT PERFORMED THE LANDING WHICH WAS INITIALLY WITHOUT INCIDENT, HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A SOFT SPOT IN THE SAND WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOCK LEADING TO THE AIRCRAFT SPINNING TO THE LEFT AND FLIPPING OVER, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING TIP AND RUDDER, AS WELL AS CAUSING THE PROP TO STRIKE THE GROUND.

## 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 ANC24LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA100), Sep 15, 2024: Piper PA-18-150 (N4118Z), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive braking during the landing roll, resulting in a ground loop and nose over.

## Other reports on N4118Z (1)

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

- [Incident 19920825055749I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920825055749I), Aug 25, 1992: Piper PA18150 (N4118Z), North Plains, OR. Smoke in cockpit while towing glider. Disconnected and landed safely. Found broken exhaust pipe at muffler.

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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