# NTSB ANC10CA008: Piper PA-18-150, N3797Z, Anchorage, AK, November 14, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 14, 2009, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 60.517223, -150.733886 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5172&lon=-150.7339&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Airworthiness)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75060
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75060/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75060
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA008

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to land and attempt to takeoff from an unsuitable off-airport site.

## 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)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: 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 was taking off in a tundra tire-equipped airplane from a snow-covered off-airport site, on a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight. He reported that during the takeoff roll the main wheels struck a snowdrift, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and wing lift struts. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted in his report to the NTSB that he should not have landed at the off-airport site with a wheel-equipped airplane. The pilot reported that after the accident he manually activated the airplane’s 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), and within 20 minutes of doing so, he received a cell phone call from the airplane’s owner inquiring about the accident.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot was taking off in a tundra tire-equipped airplane from a snow-covered off-airport site, on a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight. He reported that during the takeoff roll the main wheels struck a snowdrift, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and wing lift struts. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted in his report to the NTSB that he should not have landed at the off-airport site with a wheel-equipped airplane. The pilot reported that after the accident he manually activated the airplane’s 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), and within 20 minutes of doing so, he received a cell phone call from the airplane’s owner inquiring about the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3797Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3797Z), registered now, S/N 18-7492 (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 O-360-A2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a2a) (registry code 42261, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7492
- Airframe hours: 5668
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John C. Buller
- Registered owner: Scott L. Merriner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 2009, 14 hours before
- Departed: Anchorage, AK
- Destination: PALH, Anchorage, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 10, 2009; flight hours: 272 total, 144 in this make and model, 238 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 28.70 inHg
- Observed at: PALH

## 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 20091114051429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091114051429A), Nov 14, 2009: Piper PA-18-150, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. On nov. 14, 2009, airman landed on the north side of Mt. Susitna. The aircraft was equipped with tundra tires. The pilot performed a couple of low passes over…

## Other investigations on N3797Z (3)

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 ANC25LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA120), Sep 14, 2025: Piper PA-18-150 (N3797Z), St Mary's, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper decision to takeoff with a tailwind, from a short off-airport strip, which degraded the climb performance of the airplane and led to impact with trees at the end of the strip.
- [NTSB GAA17CA569](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA569), Sep 25, 2017: Piper PA 18 (N3797Z), Beluga, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inability to maintain pitch control due to an encounter with a tailwind gust after the airplane had stopped, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB ANC69D0066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69D0066), Sep 29, 1968: Piper PA-18 (N3797Z), Whittier, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 13, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75060. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324050&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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