# NTSB ANC12CA101: Piper PA-18-150, N4127Z, Ekwok, AK, September 5, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 4, 2012, 17:00 local (Sep 5, 2012, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Ekwok, AK - Coordinates: 59.352222, -157.473617 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3522&lon=-157.4736&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - 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): 84929 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84929/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84929 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA101 ## Probable cause The pilot's diverted attention during the initial climb, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/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-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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: 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 was taking off near a river bank in a float-equipped airplane. During the initial climb, the pilot was distracted by the water rudders and looked inside the airplane. During that moment of inattention, the airplane turned toward the river bank and impacted trees. There were no reported preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was taking off near a river bank in a float-equipped airplane. During takeoff initial climb the pilot was distracted by the water rudders, and looked inside the airplane. During that moment of inattention, the airplane turned toward the river bank, and impacted trees. There were no reported mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4127Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4127Z), registered now, S/N 18-8196, built 1964 (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: 18-8196 - Airframe hours: 3446 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bieri Michael J - Registered owner: Bieri Michael J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 2012 - Departed: Ekwok, AK - Destination: Ekwok, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 15, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 2,175 total, 1,219 in this make and model, 2,052 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °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 20120904020789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120904020789A), Sep 4, 2012: Piper PA-18-150, Ekwok, AK, Substantial damage. On September 4, 2012 N4127Z crashed into a cliff departing Ekwok. I have sent a letter of investigation and made several attempts to call the individual. I… ## Other investigations on N4127Z (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 ANC83LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA062), Apr 1, 1983: Piper PA-18-150 (N4127Z), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage ## 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=84929. 732 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 732 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379638&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.