# NTSB ANC08CA008: Piper PA-18, N3236P, Anchorage, AK, October 24, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 23, 2007, 17:30 local (Oct 24, 2007, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.368331, -150.05194
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3683&lon=-150.0519&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67055
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08CA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67055/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA008

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area which resulted in an on ground encounter with terrain, and a nose over.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - icy
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The private pilot was landing at a snow and ice-covered off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight.  The pilot reported that after landing, the airplane's main landing gear wheels broke through a thin layer of ice, and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane sustained structural damage to the right wing lift strut.   The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot was landing at a snow and ice-covered off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight.  The pilot reported that after landing, the airplane's main landing gear wheels broke through a thin layer of ice, and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane sustained structural damage to the right wing lift strut.   The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3236P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3236P), registered now, S/N 18-6766, built 1958 (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: 18-6766
- Airframe hours: 3266.9
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mitchell S. Jolin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007, 133.3 hours before
- Departed: BCV, Chugiak, AK
- Destination: Anchorage, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 372 total, 310 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 119 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °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 20071023827089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071023827089A), Oct 23, 2007: Piper PA18150, Big Lake, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) According to the pilot, while attempting a landing on a snow covered field, the wheels of the aircraft broke through a thin snow crust layer. This rapid…

## Other investigations on N3236P (4)

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 ANC08LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA078), Jun 24, 2008: Piper PA-18-150 (N3236P), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for an undetermined reason during an approach for landing, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB MKC77FTK10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77FTK10), Mar 13, 1977: Piper PA-18 (N3236P), Hayes, SD, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC67F0270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0270), Oct 26, 1966: Piper PA-18 (N3236P), Eli, NE, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK65X0823](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0823), Nov 25, 1964: Piper PA18 (N3236P), Valentine, NE, 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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