# NTSB ANC09CA033: Piper PA-18-150, N3578Z, Fairbanks, AK, February 27, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 27, 2009, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 65.633331, -146.95166 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.6333&lon=-146.9517&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 28, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 73673 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73673/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73673 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA033 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the main landing gear collapsing during taxi. ## 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) - [Fuselage: gear attach fittings (on fus)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035343): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Failure; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035343/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035343/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot said he landed the ski-equipped airplane on a snow-covered area, but due to the rough terrain the left main landing gear collapsed during taxi. An inspection of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the left main landing gear attachment to the fuselage that required reinforcement of the fuselage, and replacement of the attachment. The pilot said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. In a written statement to the NTSB, the pilot said he should have chosen a better operating area. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was doing an aerial wolf hunt under Title 14, CFR Part 91. He said he landed the ski equipped airplane on a snow-covered area, but due to the rough terrain, the left main landing gear collapsed during taxi after landing. An inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed damage to the left main landing gear attachment to the fuselage that required reinforcement of the fuselage, and replacement of the attachment. The pilot said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. In a written statement to the NTSB, the pilot said he should have chosen a better operating area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3578Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3578Z), registered now, S/N 18-7368, 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: 18-7368 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Nance Gary L - Registered owner: Nance Gary L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Fairbanks, AK - Destination: Fairbanks, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 6,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 19 °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 20090227025139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090227025139A), Feb 27, 2009: Piper PA-18-150, AK, Substantial damage. After landing the aircraft, while taxing on top of a hill he encountered an object that damaged the left main landing gear, left wing tip and the propeller… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 1, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73673. 610 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 610 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314063&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.