# NTSB ANC10CA037: Piper PA-18-150, N3774Z, Port Moller, AK, May 6, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 6, 2010, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Port Moller, AK - Coordinates: 55.872776, -161.316665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.8728&lon=-161.3167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 76009 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76009/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76009 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA037 ## Probable cause The loss of the left rudder cable retaining bolt during base to final turn, resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: 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) ## Analysis The private pilot was on a local passenger flight in conjunction with a wilderness lodge operating under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, when the accident occurred. The pilot said that during landing at an off-airport site he was in a left base to final turn when the left rudder became unresponsive. He said that he was able to level the wings with the ailerons just before the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot reported that the takeoff and earlier flight had been uneventful, but after the accident he and the passenger noted that the left rudder cable retaining bolt was missing. The left wing and fuselage received substantial damage during the impact with terrain. The pilot reported that the rudder cable connection is routinely inspected prior to every flight, and that prior to the accident flight no discrepancy was noted. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was on a local passenger flight in conjunction with a wilderness lodge operation operating under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The pilot said during landing at an off airport site he was in a left base to final turn when the left rudder became unresponsive. He said he was able to level the wings with the ailerons just before the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot said the takeoff and flight had been uneventful, but after the accident he and the passenger noted that the left rudder cable retaining bolt was missing. He said the left wing and fuselage received substantial damage during the impact with terrain. The pilot reported that the rudder cable connection is routinely inspected prior to every flight, and that prior to the accident flight no discrepancy was noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3774Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3774Z), registered now, S/N 18-7454 (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: 18-7454 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Saalsaa Brad - Registered owner: Saalsaa Brad - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Port Moller, AK - Destination: Port Moller, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 4, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 2,700 total, 2,300 in this make and model, 2,670 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.50 inHg ## 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 20100506004919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100506004919A), May 6, 2010: Piper PA-18-150, Cold Bay, AK, Substantial damage. While turning left to land at a remote gravel strip, the pilot stated the aircraft failed to turn and then stalled. The aircraft crashed short of the landing… ## Other investigations on N3774Z (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 ANC00LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA114), Sep 5, 2000: Piper PA-18 (N3774Z), Ruby, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve during the landing roll. - [NTSB ANC95LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA098), Jul 5, 1995: Piper PA-18-160 (N3774Z), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, DURING AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING ON ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. THE TERRAIN CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR. - [NTSB ANC68D0091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68D0091), Dec 19, 1967: Piper PA-18 (N3774Z), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76009. 565 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 565 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332583&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.