# NTSB ANC01LA006: Piper PA-18, N7174K, Iliamna, AK, October 11, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 11, 2000, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Iliamna, AK - Coordinates: 59.849384, -154.559112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8494&lon=-154.5591&mi=10 - 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): 50445 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50445/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA006 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation. A factor in the accident was a high wind. ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot landed on a remote area of tundra to pick up a hunting partner. He said the wind conditions were gusty as he landed in a northwest direction. He shut off the engine and was preparing to exit the airplane. As he was sitting in the airplane, still strapped in the seat harness, a gust of wind blew the airplane over on its back. The airplane received damage to the overhead cabin structure, and the right wing lift strut was kinked. In the Pilot/Operator report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, the pilot indicated the wind velocity at the accident site was 40 knots, with gusts to 50 knots. ## Factual narrative On October 11, 2000, about 1100 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N7174K, sustained substantial damage after landing on the tundra, about 35 miles southwest of Iliamna, Alaska, about latitude 59 degrees, 38 minutes west, and longitude 156 degrees, 07 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Iliamna Airport, Iliamna, about 1018. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on October 11, 2000, the pilot reported he landed on the tundra in the Stuyahok Hills area to pick up a hunting partner. He said the wind conditions were gusty as he landed in a northwest direction. He shut off the engine and was preparing to exit the airplane. As he was sitting in the airplane, still strapped in the seat harness, a gust of wind blew the airplane over on its back. The airplane received damage to the overhead cabin structure, and the right wing lift strut was kinked. The closest official weather observation station is Iliamna. At 1053, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 360 degrees (true) at 18 knots with gusts to 26 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 32 degrees F; dew point, 17 degrees F; altimeter, 29.69 inHg. In the Pilot/Operator report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, the pilot indicated the wind velocity at the accident site was 40 knots, with gusts to 50 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7174K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7174K), registered now, S/N 18-393, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-393 - Airframe hours: 2892 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frank Dinello - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 2000 - Departed: PAIL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,800 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 40 knots, gusting 50 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °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 20001011041919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001011041919A), Oct 11, 2000: Piper PA18, Iliamna, AK, Minor damage. (-23) On October 11, 2000, at or about 1100ADT, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-18, N7174K registered to and piloted by frank a. dinello, parked the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N7174K (2) 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 ANC08LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA122), Sep 11, 2008: Piper PA-18 (N7174K), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to preclude a stall while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. - [NTSB ANC99LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA111), Aug 12, 1999: Piper PA-18 (N7174K), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor was high vegetation in the landing area. 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.