# NTSB ANC12CA076: Piper PA-18-150, N3764Z, Whittier, AK, July 18, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 18, 2012, 15:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Whittier, AK
- Coordinates: 61.068889, -147.908615
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0689&lon=-147.9086&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA FSDO-03
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84377/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA076

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from brush during landing, which resulted in a loss of control.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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.

- [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while landing on a remote gravel bar, the right wingtip of the airplane struck brush, and the airplane ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the left wing dragged on the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while landing on a remote gravel bar, the right wingtip of the airplane struck brush, resulting in a ground loop to the right. During the ground loop, the left wing dragged on the ground resulting in substantial damage to the left wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3764Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3764Z), registered now, S/N 18-7527, built 1960 (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: 18-7527
- Airframe hours: 4328
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Williams Michael J
- Registered owner: Williams Michael J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 2011
- Departed: 4AK6, Wolf Lake, AK
- Destination: Whittier, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 21, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 534 total, 310 in this make and model, 508 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 20120718015229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120718015229A), Jul 18, 2012: Piper PA-18-150, Valdez, AK, Substantial damage. Airman landed his aircraft on the coghill river gravel bar. This was his first trip to that gravel bar this year and has only been there 5 or 6 times total in…

## Other investigations on N3764Z (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 GAA18CA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA367), Jun 15, 2018: Piper PA 18 (N3764Z), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting tailwind conditions.
- [NTSB ANC06CA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA126), Sep 9, 2006: Piper PA-18-150 (N3764Z), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive braking during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and a nose over.

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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