# NTSB ANC09CA054: Piper PA-18-150, N82057, Tyonek, AK, June 7, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 7, 2009, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Tyonek, AK
- Coordinates: 61.083332, -151.183334
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0833&lon=-151.1833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA Anchorage, FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74019
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74019/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74019
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA054

## 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)
- [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/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.

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The solo private pilot aborted a landing on a beach after a personal cross-country flight. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage when it struck debris and impacted terrain. In a written statement the pilot said that he didn't like the feel of the terrain during the landing, and added power to abort the landing. He said that the airplane struck debris during the aborted landing. The pilot said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident, and that the propeller and left main landing gear was damaged during the accident. He further stated that he should have looked over the landing area better prior to landing and had a better exit plan.

## Factual narrative

The solo private pilot made a personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. During an aborted landing on a beach, the airplane sustained substantial damage when it struck debris and impacted terrain. In a written statement the pilot said he didn't like the feel of the terrain during the landing, and added power to abort the landing. He said the airplane struck debris during the aborted landing. The pilot said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident, and that the propeller and left main landing gear was damaged during the accident. He further stated that he should have looked over the landing area better prior to landing, and had a better exit plan. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge the mechanic who repaired the airplane, said he also repaired/replaced two nose ribs in the left wing's leading edge, and the left wingtip bow. He also replaced the damaged left lift strut at the owner's request.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82057](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82057), registered now, S/N 18-7809120, built 1978 (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: 18-7809120
- Airframe hours: 2778
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hester John T
- Registered owner: Hester John T
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 2008
- Departed: Z41, Lake Hood, AK
- Destination: Tyonek, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 18, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 842 total, 737 in this make and model, 768 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## Other investigations on N82057 (2)

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 GAA16CA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA287), May 27, 2016: Piper PA 18 (N82057), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's incorrect brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB ANC08LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA101), Aug 7, 2008: Piper PA-18 (N82057), Tyonek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive speed and excessive application of brakes during the landing roll on soft, sandy terrain.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74019. 606 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 606 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316453&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.

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