# NTSB ANC08CA132: Piper PA-18-150, N285HC, Palmer, AK, September 2, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 2, 2008, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 60.982776, -149.125839 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.9828&lon=-149.1258&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 69348 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08CA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69348/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA132 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 83 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot, operating the airplane under Title 14, CFR Part 91, was landing at an off-airport site for the third time that day. He said during the final portion of the landing roll, the left main landing gear wheel hit a bump, and bounced about 2 feet into the air. He said as the main wheel came down, the tailwheel hit the same bump, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot said there were no problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The airplane received substantial damage to the right wing and right lift-strut. ## Factual narrative The private pilot, operating the airplane under Title 14, CFR Part 91, was landing at an off-airport site for the third time that day. He said during the final portion of the landing roll, the left main landing gear wheel hit a bump, and bounced about 2 feet into the air. He said as the main wheel came down, the tailwheel hit the same bump, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot said there were no problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The airplane received substantial damage to the right wing and right lift-strut. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N285HC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N285HC), registered now, S/N 18-7464, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150 - 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: 18-7464 - Airframe hours: 2076 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stiller Mark R - Registered owner: Stiller Mark R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 2008 - Departed: AQY, Girdwood, AK - Destination: Palmer, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 4, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 600 total, 600 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F ## Other investigations on N285HC (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 NYC68D0441](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68D0441), Apr 12, 1968: Piper PA-18 (N285HC), Tuftonboro, NH, 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. --- 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.