# NTSB ANC06CA052: Piper PA-18, N723C, Iliamna, AK, May 10, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 10, 2006, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Iliamna, AK
- Coordinates: 59.849773, -154.56015 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8498&lon=-154.5601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63874
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63874/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA052

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudged distance and altitude, which resulted in an undershoot during final approach to a beach, and subsequent in-flight collision with water and a nose over.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The commercial certificated pilot was conducting an off airport landing under Title 14, CFR Part 91, in conjunction with his guiding business, when he said he touched down short of the landing area.  He reported that the airplane touched down prematurely on glassy water and nosed over.  The pilot said the airplane received a broken windshield, and structural damage to one wing.  He indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The commercial certificated pilot was conducting an off airport landing under Title 14, CFR Part 91, in conjunction with his guiding business, when he said he touched down short of the landing area.  He reported that the airplane touched down prematurely on glassy water and nosed over.  The pilot said the airplane received a broken windshield, and structural damage to one wing.  He indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N723C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N723C), registered now, S/N 18-1150 (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: 1150
- Airframe hours: 7200
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Preston Cavener
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2006
- Departed: Chignik Bay, AK
- Destination: Iliamna, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 920 total, 800 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

## Other investigations on N723C (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 ANC02LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA127), Sep 30, 2002: Piper PA-18 (N723C), Ekwok, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial separation of one propeller blade during cruise flight.
- [NTSB UNK64X2553](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2553), Jun 28, 1964: Piper PA18 (N723C), Atlanta, GA, substantial damage

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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