# NTSB ANC16CA025: Piper PA 18-150, N5884D, McCarthy, AK, May 5, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 5, 2016, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: McCarthy, AK
- Coordinates: 62.100399, -145.530288 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1004&lon=-145.5303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93140
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC16CA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93140/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93140
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16CA025

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall from which he could not recover.

## 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, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that while maneuvering low-level in an attempt to locate a suitable gravel bar for an off-airport landing, a wind gust lifted the right wing. The airplane entered an aerodynamic stall from which he was unable to recover before impacting terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to thewings and fuselage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that while maneuvering low-level in an attempt to locate a suitable gravel bar for an off-airport landing, a wind gust lifted the right wing. The airplane entered an aerodynamic stall from which he was unable to recover before impacting terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5884D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5884D), registered now, S/N 18-5308, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18-150
- 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: 18-5308
- Year built: 1956
- Airframe hours: 4093
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mcmahan Johnny W
- Registered owner: Mcmahan Johnny W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 2015
- Departed: McCarthy, AK
- Destination: McCarthy, AK
- Airport: 15Z, Mccarthy
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 9, 2014; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 5,750 total, 4,078 in this make and model, 5,700 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 18 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Turbulence: Light
- Observed at: PAGK, 91 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 20160505013969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160505013969A), May 5, 2016: Piper PA-18-150, Mccarthy, AK, Substantial damage. 05/05/16: Piper PA-18-150 serial number 18-5308 manuevered for landing on a gravel bar near the mouth of the chitistone river. During left turn to view the…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 15, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93140. 835 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 835 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443046&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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