# NTSB ANC12CA088: Piper PA-18-150, N4001Z, Talkeetna, AK, August 15, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 15, 2012, 14:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.450401, -149.789199 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4504&lon=-149.7892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA FSDO-03
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84678
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84678/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84678
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA088

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

## 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)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); 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)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 83 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was attempting to pick up a friend from a remote hunting camp. According to the pilot, after touching down and rolling out on a gravel bar in the middle of a nearby river, a gust of wind (estimated at 40 knots) from the quartering left rear flipped the airplane on its back. There was substantial damage to both wings, rudder, and the front portion of the fuselage.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was attempting to pick up a friend from a remote hunting camp, after being notified that a bear had eaten all his food three days earlier. According to the pilot, after touching down, and rolling out on a gravel bar in the middle of the River, a gust of wind (estimated 40 kts) from the quartering left rear, flipped the airplane on its back. There was substantial damage to both wings, rudder, and front portion of the fuselage. The solo pilot sustained minor injuries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4001Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4001Z), registered now, S/N 18-7952, built 1963 (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: 18-7952
- Airframe hours: 5442
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Payne Ronald J II
- Registered owner: Payne Ronald J II
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 2011
- Departed: HRR, Healy, AK
- Destination: Talkeetna, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 21, 2012; seat: front; flight hours: 4,600 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg

## 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 20120815018299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120815018299A), Aug 15, 2012: Piper PA-18-150, Farewell, AK, Substantial damage. Departed healy 12:10 8/15/2012 direct to confluence of ripsnorter and tonzona river arriving at 14:00. Hunter notified out of food needed pick up . Left rear…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84678. 788 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 788 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379636&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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