# NTSB ANC07CA039: Piper PA-18, N4111Z, Fairbanks, AK, May 26, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 26, 2007, 00:30 local (08:30 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.24028, -147.721389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.2403&lon=-147.7214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 65886 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC07CA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65886/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA039 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance while maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with trees. A factor contributing to the accident was dusk lighting conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - tree(s) - light condition - dusk (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The private certificated pilot reported that he arrived at his private cabin airstrip about 0030, and descended to about 200 feet msl, to parallel the strip at the conclusion of a Title 14, CFR Part 91, cross country personal flight. He said that at an airspeed of about 75 mph, he began a maneuvering right turn to check a cabin to the east of the strip, and encountered a downdraft. He applied full engine power, but the airplane continued to descend and collided with several spruce trees. The airplane received structural damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot said the wind conditions were light and variable. The pilot reported that the airplane did not have any mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative The private certificated pilot reported that he arrived at his private cabin airstrip about 0030, and descended to about 200 feet msl, to parallel the strip at the conclusion of a Title 14, CFR Part 91, cross country personal flight. He said that at an airspeed of about 75 mph, he began a maneuvering right turn to check a cabin to the east of the strip, and encountered a downdraft. He applied full engine power, but the airplane continued to descend and collided with several spruce trees. The airplane received structural damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot said the wind conditions were light and variable. The pilot reported that the airplane did not have any mechanical malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4111Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4111Z), registered now, S/N 18-8153, built 1964 (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: 18-8153 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph G. Zapotosky - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: North Pole, AK - Destination: Fairbanks, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,000 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °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 20070526007809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070526007809A), May 26, 2007: Piper PA18, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot completed clearing pass along the left side of the field, in the direction of intended landing. At approximately 75 mph, the pilot commenced a… ## Other investigations on N4111Z (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 ANC23LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA064), Aug 22, 2023: Piper PA-18 (N4111Z), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to taxi the airplane through tall grass without visual reference to the surface which obscured uneven terrain. 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.