# NTSB ANC06CA133: Piper PA-18, N82905, Koliganek, AK, September 18, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 18, 2006, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Koliganek, AK - Coordinates: 60.303611, -156.899444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3036&lon=-156.8994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 64637 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64637/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA133 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from rising terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were a downdraft, the pilot's intentional low altitude flight, and his inadequate weather evaluation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - rising - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot reported he was flying at a low altitude over rising terrain during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 business flight, searching for sites to deploy a tent camp in support of a lodge operation. While approaching a ridgeline, he stated that a powerful downdraft forced the airplane into a brush-covered hillside. The pilot reported that neither he nor the sole passenger were injured, and that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. The airplane received substantial damage to the wings and fuselage structure. ## Factual narrative The commercial certificated pilot reported he was flying at a low altitude over rising terrain during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 business flight, searching for sites to deploy a tent camp in support of a lodge operation. While approaching a ridgeline, he stated that a powerful downdraft forced the airplane into a brush-covered hillside. The pilot reported that neither he or the sole passenger were injured, and that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. The airplane received substantial damage to the wings and fuselage structure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82905](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82905), registered now, S/N 18-7709197, built 1977 (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: 18-7709197 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Alaskan Adventures Lodge - Registered owner: Rocky C. McElveen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Sleetmute, AK - Destination: Koliganek, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 1,650 total, 550 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 93 in the last 30 days ## 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 20060918023429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060918023429A), Sep 18, 2006: Piper PA18150, Kolignak, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Thirty miles north of Kolignak, PIC encountered what he described as a micro burst near a ridge pushing the aircraft into a ridge, causing substantial… ## Other investigations on N82905 (3) 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 ANC00LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA118), Sep 11, 2000: Piper PA-18 (N82905), Sparrevohn, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush during the final approach to land. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's misjudged flare, and the rough and uneven terrain. - [NTSB ANC99LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA121), Aug 20, 1999: Piper PA-18 (N82905), Sleetmute, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area, which resulted in the airplane colliding with vegetation, knocking the gascolator off the airplane, and fuel starvation of the engine. - [NTSB ANC98LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA160), Sep 25, 1998: Piper PA-18 (N82905), New Stuyahok, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive use of brakes during the landing roll. 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.