# NTSB ANC15CA039: Piper PA 18-150, N3897Z, McCarthy, AK, June 13, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 13, 2015, 14:54 local (22:54 UTC) - Place: McCarthy, AK - Coordinates: 62.100292, -145.52922 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1003&lon=-145.5292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 8, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91379 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC15CA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91379/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91379 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA039 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive use of wheel brakes during landing, resulting in a nose 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, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7101828), [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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 83 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing his tundra-tire equipped tailwheel airplane on a remote, sandy landing area. During the landing roll, he stated that he used too much braking in the soft sand, and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing his tundra-tire equipped tailwheel airplane on a remote, sandy landing area. During the landing roll, he stated that he used too much braking in the soft sand, and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3897Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3897Z), registered now, S/N 18-7788 (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: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7788 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 1946 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Phillip Sturm - Registered owner: Phillip Sturm - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 6, 2015 - Departed: 15Z, McCarthy, AK - Destination: McCarthy, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,473 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 41 °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 20150613008859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150613008859A), Jun 13, 2015: Piper PA-18-150, Wrangell St Eli, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed on soft sand. Airman stated that he may have used excessive brakes. The sand quickly mounded in front of the main tires and obstructed forward… ## Other investigations on N3897Z (2) 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 ANC13CA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA078), Aug 12, 2013: Piper PA-18-150 (N3897Z), McCarthy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff. - [NTSB ANC90LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA185), Sep 27, 1990: Piper PA-18 (N3897Z), Kotes Lakes, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S ENCOUNTER WITH TURBULENCE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 28, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91379. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436032&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. --- 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.