# NTSB ANC13CA105: Piper PA 18, N1214A, Big Lake, AK, September 24, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 24, 2013, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Lake, AK
- Coordinates: 61.536109, -149.813888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5361&lon=-149.8139&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88125
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88125/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88125
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA105

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in abnormal contact with terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During the landing roll on a gravel bar adjacent to a river, the airplane's right main landing gear contacted soft terrain. After contact with the soft terrain, the right main landing gear separated from the airframe and the airplane came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

During the landing roll on a gravel bar adjacent to a river, the airplane's right main landing gear contacted soft terrain. After contact with the soft terrain, the right main landing gear separated from the airframe and the airplane came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1214A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1214A), registered now, S/N 18-828, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18 (105SPECIAL)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-828
- Year built: 1951
- Airframe hours: 3870
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 2013
- Departed: PATK, Talkeetna, AK
- Destination: Big Lake, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,000 total, 3 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °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 20130924020989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130924020989A), Sep 24, 2013: Piper PA-18, Big Lake, AK, Minor damage. Upon landing on a gravel bar, the aircraft's right main landing gear hit a large hole, tearing it off. This also caused the propeller to strike the ground and…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 20, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88125. 468 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 468 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402185&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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