# NTSB ANC14LA055: Piper PA-18-150, N9783D, Palmer, AK, July 19, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 2014, 20:00 local (Jul 19, 2014, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.414722, -148.320281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4147&lon=-148.3203&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 January 14, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; ANC FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89704/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89704
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14LA055

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadvertent application of excessive brake pressure during landing on a rough surface, which resulted in a nose-over.

## Findings

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

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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 with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101837), [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-18A 150, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he performed two low approaches over, and a touch-and-go wheel landing on, the gravel bar before attempting a full-stop landing. During the full-stop landing, the airplane struck a hole, which resulted in the pilot increasing brake pressure and the airplane subsequently nosing over. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

On July 18, 2014, at 2000 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18A-150, N9783D, nosed-over and impacted terrain during landing roll on a gravel bar located in a remote location about 30 miles southeast of Palmer, Alaska. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The private pilot was uninjured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight that was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from Wolf Lake Airport, Palmer, Alaska, at 1800 and was destined to the accident site location. The pilot stated that he performed two low approaches over a gravel bar prior that he attempted to land on. He then performed a touch-and-go wheel landing on the gravel bar before attempting a full-stop landing. During the landing, the airplane struck a hole, which resulted in his increasing brake pressure and nosing-over of the airplane. There were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9783D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9783D), registered now, S/N 18-6853, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-6853
- Year built: 1959
- Airframe hours: 3678
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2014
- Departed: 4AK6, Palmer, AK
- Destination: Palmer, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 97 total, 30 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.65 inHg
- Observed at: PAQ, 23 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 20140718015189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140718015189A), Jul 18, 2014: Piper PA-18A 150, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. According to the pilot, while lnding on a gravel bar, the aircraft hit a hidden pot hole (rock) causing the aircraft to roll over on its back.

## Other investigations on N9783D (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 ANC71DAG26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC71DAG26), Aug 30, 1970: Piper PA-18 (N9783D), Denali, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 24, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89704. 3.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416852&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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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