# NTSB ANC11CA089: Piper PA-18-150, N82448, Cape Yakataga, AK, August 30, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 29, 2011, 16:00 local (Aug 30, 2011, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Cape Yakataga, AK - Coordinates: 60.075, -143.104721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0750&lon=-143.1047&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Juneau FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81637 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81637/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81637 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA089 ## Probable cause The pilot inadvertently switching off the engine magnetos during the initial climb, resulting in a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the manufacturer's placement of the magneto switches. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) - [Ignition system: switching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057430): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unintentional use/operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057430/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057430/cases.md) - [Physical workspace: positioning/available space](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041010): Environmental issues › Task environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041010/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Engine shutdown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: 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 pilot reported that, during the initial climb, he inadvertently switched off the engine magnetos with his coat sleeve while using the trim handle causing the airplane’s engine to shut down; the switches were located on the left side of the cabin. The pilot realized the problem, but, due to the airplane's low altitude, he decided to land instead of trying to restart the engine and climb over obstacles at the end of the airstrip. The airplane touched down in an area of tree stumps and brush, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the magneto switches on the accident airplane and other like models revealed that a pilot's coat sleeve can contact and move the guarded magneto switches. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by moving the magneto switches to the instrument panel. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the initial climb, he inadvertently switched off the engine magneto switches on the left side of the cabin with his coat sleeve while using the trim handle, and the airplane's engine shutdown. He realized the problem, but due to the airplane's low altitude, he decided to land instead of trying to restart the engine and climb over obstacles at the end of the airstrip. The airplane touched down in an area of tree stumps and brush, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Examination of the magneto switches on the accident airplane, and other like models, revealed that a pilot's coat sleeve can come in contact with the guarded magneto switches. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by moving the magneto switches to the instrument panel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82448](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82448), registered now, S/N 18-7909099, built 1979 (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: 18-7909099 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Fejes Guide Service Ltd - Registered owner: Fejes Guide Service Ltd - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NA, Cape Yakataga, AK - Destination: NA, Cape Yakataga, AK - Airport: NA, Tsiu Lodge Strip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 26, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 26,785 total, 15,620 in this make and model, 57 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: PACV, 106 nm away ## 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 20110829019049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110829019049A), Aug 29, 2011: Piper PA-18-150, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. On August 29, 2011 at approximately 1600 hrs. Local time a Piper model PA-18 aircraft sustained substantial damage following a complete loss of engine power… ## Other investigations on N82448 (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 ANC21LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA099), Sep 23, 2021: Piper PA-18-150 (N82448), Cordova, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after landing in gusty wind conditions. - [NTSB ANC15CA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA002), Oct 9, 2014: Piper PA 18-150 (N82448), Cordova, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots decision to land and failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing in gusty wind conditions. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 1, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81637. 719 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 719 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359087&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.