# NTSB ANC05CA096: Piper PA-18-160, N18VF, Hope, AK, July 6, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 6, 2005, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Hope, AK
- Coordinates: 60.5, -150.333328
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5000&lon=-150.3333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC05CA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA096

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudged distance and altitude during an approach to land at an off-airport landing site, which resulted in an undershoot, and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and tundra-covered terrain.  A factor in the accident was trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - tundra

## Analysis

The solo private pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane at an off airport site that was surrounded by trees.  Just before touchdown, the pilot inadvertently allowed the airplane to descend below the intended glide path, and the left wing struck a stand of trees.  The airplane pivoted to the left, and the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer struck the tundra-covered terrain.  The airplane sustained structural damage to the right wing spar, and the right horizontal stabilizer.  The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On July 6, 2005, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N18VF, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with trees while on an approach to land at an off airport site, located about 21 miles southwest of Hope, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at the Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1030.  No flight plan was filed, nor was one required.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 8, the pilot reported that he was landing at an off airport site that was surrounded by trees. He said that as the airplane continued on the approach, he inadvertently allowed it to descend slightly below the intended glide path while on short final, and the left wing struck a stand of trees.  The airplane pivoted to the left, and the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer collided with the tundra-covered terrain.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar, and the right horizontal stabilizer.  The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N18VF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-160
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-8835
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth W. Wolter
- Registered owner: Kenneth W. Wolter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MRI, Anchorage, AK
- Destination: Hope, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 217 total, 127 in this make and model, 157 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20050706017309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050706017309A), Jul 6, 2005: Piper PA18150, Sterling, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that on a part 91 flight from mccarty bay to merrill field, the aircraft engine was experiencing carburetor icing. He would clear this with…

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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