# NTSB ANC09CA041: Piper PA-18-150, N405TH, Kenai, AK, May 14, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 14, 2009, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.799999, -151.79277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8000&lon=-151.7928&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Airworthiness)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73851/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73851
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA041

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while taxiing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot reported that after landing at an off-airport site at the conclusion of a personal flight, and while taxiing to parking, the airplane's left wing struck a small tree, damaging the wing. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot reported that after landing at an off-airport site at the conclusion of a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, and while taxiing to parking, the airplane's left wing struck a small tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N405TH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N405TH), registered now, S/N 18-7509005, built 1975 (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: 18-7509005
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Newgren Steven A
- Registered owner: Newgren Steven A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 2008, 20 hours before
- Departed: SXQ, Soldotna, AK
- Destination: Kenai, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 29, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 174 total, 14 in this make and model, 174 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 21, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73851. 649 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 649 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.

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