# NTSB ANC12CA034: Piper PA-18-150, N8976D, Palmer, AK, April 30, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 29, 2012, 17:00 local (Apr 30, 2012, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.476943, -148.748886 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4769&lon=-148.7489&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 83509 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83509/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83509 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA034 ## Probable cause The student pilot did not maintain sufficient airspeed during a steep turn after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## 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, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101804), [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, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101804), [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. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings at an off-airport site. After departing a sandbar, he made a steep turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing spar and landing gear. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings at off airport site. After departing a sandbar, he made a steep turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8976D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8976D), registered now, S/N 18-4887, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-6416 - Airframe hours: 7746 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Williams Sheryl L - Registered owner: Williams Sheryl L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 2012 - Departed: PALH, Anchorage, AK - Destination: PALH, Anchorage, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 16; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 455 total, 390 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.54 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 15 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 20120429007199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120429007199A), Apr 29, 2012: Piper PA-18-150, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. The student pilot was flying a PA-18-150. Joined by his friends a commercial pilot and a private pilot in another PA-18-150 they flew from the lake hood strip… ## Other investigations on N8976D (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 MKC68F0074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC68F0074), Jun 28, 1967: Piper PA-18 (N8976D), Ashby, MN, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC68D0107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC68D0107), Jun 21, 1967: Piper PA-18 (N8976D), Evansville, MN, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83509. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372800&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.