# NTSB ANC15CA059: Piper PA 18A 150, N2868P, Beluga, AK, July 20, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2015, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Beluga, AK - Coordinates: 55.919677, -159.489822 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9197&lon=-159.4898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91665 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC15CA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91665/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91665 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA059 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land with insufficient obstacle clearance. The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after landing resulting in a collision with terrain. ## 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-18A 150, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101837), [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. - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing at a remote, off airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. He stated that he made two low passes over the intended landing site, which was narrow, but in good condition, with willow bushes lining both sides of the strip. After landing, the left wing struck willow bushes, the airplane veered off the strip and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. 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 at a remote, off airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. He stated that he made two low passes over the intended landing site, which was narrow, but in good condition, with willow bushes lining both sides of the strip. After landing, the left wing struck willow bushes, the airplane veered off the strip and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2868P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2868P), registered now, S/N 18-4457 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18A 150 (A150) - 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: 18-4457 - Year built: 1955 - Airframe hours: 3326 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Adam Redman - Registered owner: Adam Redman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 2015 - Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: Beluga Lake, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,275 total, 440 in this make and model, 3,163 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: PAHO, 1 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 20150720013269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150720013269A), Jul 20, 2015: Piper PA-18A 150, Beluga Lake, AK, Substantial damage. PIC stated he made several surveys of the clearing he intended to land on by Beluga Lake at 700' AGL. After making multiple low approaches he decided to land.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91665. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431663&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.