# NTSB ANC20CA097: Piper PA18, N5779D, Arctic Village, AK, September 16, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 16, 2020, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Arctic Village, AK - Coordinates: 68.433431, -143.93348 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.4334&lon=-143.9335&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 102019 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102019/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA097 ## Probable cause The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a rock damaging the empennage. ## 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 150, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while attempting to land on a remote off-airport gravel bar, the right tundra-tire displaced a rock, which subsequently impacted the right horizontal stabilizer. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5779D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5779D), registered now, S/N 18-5295, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA18 (A) - 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: 18-5295 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 5680 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 2020 - Departed: PARC, Arctic Village, AK - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; military, commercial, flight engineer, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10,500 total, 800 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: Arctic Village, 50 nm away ## Other investigations on N5779D (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 SEA03LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA099), Jun 12, 2003: Piper PA-18A-150 (N5779D), Laurel, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: Aircraft control was not maintained during the landing roll. The aircraft subsequently nosed over. 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.