# NTSB ANC20CA041: Piper PA 18A, N2791P, Chickaloon, AK, April 7, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 7, 2020, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Chickaloon, AK - Coordinates: 61.539722, -147.134445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5397&lon=-147.1344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 29, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 101157 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101157/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101157 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA041 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which necessitated a go-around, and her subsequent failure to maintain clearance from rising mountainous terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that she was landing the airplane at a remote area of mountainous, snow-covered terrain and that she had selected an area that was slightly uphill for landing. She felt uncomfortable with the final stages of the approach, so she chose to go around. During the go-around, she added full power and started a left turn. The airplane subsequently impacted an area of rising, snow-covered terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot added that she should have made another practice approach or two to verify the wind direction and local terrain conditions. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing a wheel/ski-equipped airplane at a remote off-airport site in an area of mountainous, snow-covered terrain, and reported that she selected an area that was slightly uphill. During the final stages of the approach she felt uncomfortable with the approach, so she elected to go-around. During the go-around, she added full power and started a left turn. The airplane subsequently collided with an area of rising, snow-covered terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing, and fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. In addition, she noted that the weather about the time of the accident was, clear sky with light and variable wind. The pilot added that she should have made another practice approach or two to verify the wind direction and local terrain conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2791P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2791P), registered now, S/N 18-4426, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA 18A (150) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4426 - Year built: 1955 - Airframe hours: 3600 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2019 - Departed: AQY, Girdwood, AK - Destination: Chickaloon, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 3, 2019; seat: front; flight hours: 400 total, 350 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1.7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 56 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 20200407003829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200407003829A), Apr 7, 2020: Piper PA-18A, Sylvester Glaci, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot states that she had intended to land on the glacier with one passenger. Decided to perform a go-around and applied power while turning into what she… ## Other investigations on N2791P (5) 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 GAA17CA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA027), Oct 14, 2016: Piper PA18 (N2791P), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane's encounter with a depression while the pilot applied excessive braking during the landing roll on a grass airstrip, which resulted in a nose-over. - [NTSB GAA16CA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA102), Dec 21, 2015: Piper PA 18A (N2791P), Girdwood, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel contamination resulting in the loss of engine power, a forced landing on a highway, and subsequent right wing impact with highway signage. - [NTSB ANC71DAG54](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC71DAG54), Nov 26, 1970: Piper PA-18A (N2791P), Pt.Alsworth, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC69D0041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69D0041), Aug 11, 1968: Piper PA-18A (N2791P), Chitina, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC66D0048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC66D0048), Aug 15, 1965: Piper PA-18A (N2791P), Soldotna, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101157. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 468 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483284&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot ROC (item 2, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483285&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20ROC-Master.PDF - Pilot Narratives (item 3, .PDF, 224 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483286&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Narratives-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 4, .PDF, 175 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483287&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.