# NTSB ANC14CA001: Piper PA 18-150, N91144, Iliamna, AK, October 7, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 7, 2013, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Iliamna, AK - Coordinates: 59.376945, -155.155838 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3769&lon=-155.1558&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88179 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88179/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88179 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA001 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll with a tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 98 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the uphill landing on the tundra with a slight tailwind, the tailwheel hit a bump and bounced off the ground. The tailwind caused the tail to rise and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The rudder and a wing strut were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the uphill landing on the tundra with a slight tailwind, the tailwheel hit a bump and bounced off the ground. The tailwind caused the tail to raise and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The rudder and a wing strut were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91144](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91144), registered now, S/N 18-8109075, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18-150 (A150) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-8109075 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 5578 - Engines: Lycoming O320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Tom's Alaskan Air - Registered owner: Atkins James A - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 14, 2013, 56 hours before - Departed: PAIL, Iliamna, AK - Destination: Iliamna, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 21, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,000 total, 7,500 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 157 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: PAIL, 28 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 20131007025439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131007025439A), Oct 7, 2013: Piper PA-18-150, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. The PIC was conducting off airport operations to a remote landing strip. The PIC elected to land uphill, with a slight tail wind, on the two way strip. The… ## Other investigations on N91144 (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 GAA19CA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA349), Jun 16, 2019: Piper PA18 (N91144), Beluga, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a noseover. ## 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=88179. 655 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 655 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402942&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.