# NTSB ANC10CA096: Piper PA-18-150, N83395, Chicken, AK, September 9, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 8, 2010, 19:00 local (Sep 9, 2010, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Chicken, AK
- Coordinates: 64.069442, -141.951385 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.0694&lon=-141.9514&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 77364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77364/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77364
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA096

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude in terrain and weather conditions conducive to turbulence and downdrafts.

## Findings

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

- [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md)
- [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)
- [Turbulence: terrain induced turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md)
- [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot reported he and the sole passenger were on a personal Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight en route to a hunting site. While maneuvering at a low altitude to assess weather conditions and determine the viability of flying through a pass, he said he encountered turbulence and a strong downdraft. He immediately added engine power to climb, but the downdraft pushed the airplane below the tops of tall Spruce trees. The pilot said he was unable to avoid the trees, and struck trees with the right wing and then the nose of the airplane. The airplane continued to fly, and he was able to return to his home airport, where the right main landing gear collapsed on landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot reported he and the sole passenger were on a personal Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight en route to a hunting site. While maneuvering at a low altitude to assess weather conditions and determine the viability of flying through a pass, he said he encountered turbulence and a strong downdraft. He immediately added engine power to climb, but the downdraft pushed the airplane below the tops of tall Spruce trees. The pilot said he was unable to avoid the trees, and struck trees with the right wing and then the nose of the airplane. The airplane continued to fly, and he was able to return to his home airport, where the right main landing gear collapsed on landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83395](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83395), registered now, S/N 18-7609119, built 1976 (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: 18-7609119
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jorgensen Spike C
- Registered owner: Jorgensen Spike C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PFTO, Tok Junction, AK
- Destination: PFTO, Tok Junction, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PFTO, Tok Junction

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; flight hours: 4,400 total, 3,170 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20100909047579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100909047579A), Sep 9, 2010: Piper PA-18-150, Tok, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot reported encountering a severe downdraft near terrain, airplane made contact with tree tops. Pilot noted damaged landing gear, proceeded to Tok airport.…

## Other investigations on N83395 (1)

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 ANC76DAH45](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH45), Aug 3, 1976: Piper PA-18 (N83395), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77364. 651 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 651 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339397&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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