# NTSB ANC00LA124: Piper PA-18, N18PX, Iliamna, AK, September 11, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 11, 2000, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Iliamna, AK - Coordinates: 59.850334, -154.559844 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8503&lon=-154.5598&mi=10 - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 10, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 50358 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50358/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA124 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor in the accident was a tree stump not observed by the pilot. ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was landing on a gravel bar. Just before touchdown, the pilot said a gust of wind blew the airplane to the left of the intended touch down point, and the underside of the left wing struck a tree stump that he did not see before landing. The airplane spun to the right and struck the ground. The airplane received damage to the right wing, and the right horizontal stabilizer. ## Factual narrative On September 11, 2000, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N18PX, sustained substantial damage during landing on a gravel bar, about 60 miles west-southwest of Iliamna, Alaska, at latitude 59 degrees, 45.021 minutes north, and longitude 156 degrees, 52.680 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 16, 2000, the pilot reported he was landing on a gravel bar along the Mulchatna River. Just before touchdown, the pilot said a gust of wind blew the airplane to the left of the intended touch down point, but he said he decided to continue the landing. During the landing flare, the underside of the left wing struck a tree stump that the pilot did not see. The airplane spun to the right and struck the ground. The airplane received damage to the right wing, and the right horizontal stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18PX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18PX), registered now, S/N 18-7570, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7505 - Airframe hours: 4539 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John F. Daily - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 2000, 20 hours before - Departed: PAIL, ILIAMNA, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,694 total, 47 in this make and model, 1,650 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000911042359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000911042359A), Sep 11, 2000: Piper PA18150, Illiamna, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 11, 2000, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N18PX, sustained substantial damage during landing… ## Other investigations on N18PX (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 ANC03LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA118), Sep 17, 2003: Piper PA-18 (N18PX), Sparrevohn, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in a collision with terrain during takeoff/initial climb. Factors contributing to the accident were mountainous/hilly terrain,… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.