# NTSB ANC00LA134: Piper PA-18-105, N5489H, Slana, AK, September 29, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 2000, 19:00 local (Sep 29, 2000, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Slana, AK
- Coordinates: 62.829292, -143.429916 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.8293&lon=-143.4299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51001
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51001/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA134

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent touch down.  A factor associated with the accident was deep snow on the airstrip.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, other
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - touchdown - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

The certificated private pilot was making a low pass over a snow-covered airstrip, when he inadvertently allowed the main wheels to touch down.  As the airplane touched down, the main wheels contacted deep snow on the runway, and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing lift struts, and the rudder.  The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.  The pilot did not submit a Pilot/Operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2).

## Factual narrative

On September 28, 2000, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18-105 airplane, N5489H, sustained substantial damage while landing at a private airstrip located about 10 miles northeast of Slana, Alaska, at 62 degrees, 43 minutes north latitude, 143 degrees, 55 minutes west longitude.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The solo private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from a private airstrip in Gakona, Alaska, about 1830.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on September 29, the pilot reported that while making a low pass over a snow-covered airstrip, he inadvertently allowed the main wheels to touch down.  He said that as the airplane touched down, the main wheels contacted deep snow on the runway, and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing lift struts, and the rudder.

The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

The pilot did not submit a Pilot/Operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5489H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5489H), registered now, S/N 18-80, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-105
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-80
- Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chuck & Sandra Mcmahan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GAKONA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## Other investigations on N5489H (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 ANC21LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA040), May 10, 2021: Piper PA-18-105 Special (N5489H), Gakona, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to initiate a flight with a failed mixture control cable which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

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.

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