# NTSB ANC20CA006: Piper PA18, N645DT, Moose Pass, AK, October 13, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 12, 2019, 17:45 local (Oct 13, 2019, 01:45 UTC) - Place: Moose Pass, AK - Coordinates: 60.516666, -149.5 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5167&lon=-149.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviaiotn Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 100630 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100630/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100630 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA006 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper approach, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from a tree while landing in dusk conditions, and his subsequent loss of directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Light condition: low light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to land at a remote airstrip in fading light conditions. Just before touchdown, the left wing impacted a tree, and after touchdown, the airplane exited the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the accident might have been prevented if he had flown a steeper final approach or had more daylight. ## Factual narrative The pilot was attempting to land at a remote airstrip in fading light conditions. Just before touchdown the left wing impacted a tree and the airplane exited the runway sustaining substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had flown a steeper final approach or had more daylight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N645DT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N645DT), registered now, S/N 18-8309022, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA18 (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: 18-8309022 - Year built: 1982 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 2019, 4,131 hours before - Departed: Anchorage, AK - Destination: PVT, Moose Pass, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: PVT, Private - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review June 30, 2019; seat: front; flight hours: 20,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 330° at 14 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg ## 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 20191012022289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191012022289A), Oct 12, 2019: Piper PA-18-150, Moose Pass, AK, Substantial damage. On or about October 13, 2019, N645DT, a Piper PA-18-150, was involved in an accident when the left wing struck a tree during landing at Beaver Way near Moose… ## Other investigations on N645DT (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 ANC24FA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA052), Jun 18, 2024: Piper PA-18-150 (N645DT), Moose Pass, AK, substantial damage, 2 fatal, investigation ongoing ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100630. 795 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 653 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483288&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483289&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.