# NTSB ANC11CA064: Piper PA-18A 150, N9255D, Cordova, AK, July 13, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 13, 2011, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Cordova, AK
- Coordinates: 60.5, -145.5
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5000&lon=-145.5000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA FSDO-03
- NTSB case key (mKey): 81098
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81098/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81098
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA064

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during approach, resulting in an aerodynamic stall, and collision with terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The solo private pilot was practicing touch-and-go takeoff and landings at his home airport. He reported that during the third landing, his approach was not stable, and he should have gone around. As he extended his approach down the runway, the airplane stalled, the left wing dropped, and the airplane came to rest in the brush on the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing when it impacted the ground. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The solo private pilot was practicing touch and go takeoff and landings at his home airport. He reported that on the third landing, his approach was not stable, and he should have gone around. He said as he extended his approach down the runway the airplane stalled, the left wing dropped, and the airplane came to rest in the brush on the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing when it hit the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9255D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9255D), registered now, S/N 18-6548, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A 150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-6548
- Airframe hours: 5043
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lynn Mallory
- Registered owner: Lynn Mallory
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 2011
- Departed: PACV, Cordova, AK
- Destination: PACV, Cordova, AK
- Airport: PACV, Merle K Smith, runway 16, 1,899 × 30 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 23, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 82 total, 25 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 20110713015039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110713015039A), Jul 13, 2011: Piper PA-18A 150, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. Airmen was practicing touch and go's on the gravel strip. During final approach using full flaps the airmen let the aircraft get slow and stalled.

## Other investigations on N9255D (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 ANC02LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA091), Aug 5, 2002: Piper PA-18A-150 (N9255D), Chickaloon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane impacting rough terrain. A factor contributing to the accident was the rough/uneven terrain condition.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 18, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81098. 583 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 583 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352725&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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