# NTSB ANC21LA054: Piper PA-18-150, N8996Y, Talkeetna, AK, July 1, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 1, 2021, 14:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.56, -150.77
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.5600&lon=-150.7700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- 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
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103462/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103462
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA054

## Probable cause

The pilot’s excessive use of brakes during landing, which resulted in a nose-over. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision and the gusty tailwind conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 83 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor reported that after evaluating an uphill off-airport landing site, the pilot receiving instruction proceeded with an approach to landing. The airplane touched down long due to excessive airspeed and a gusty tailwind. During the landing rollout, and as the airplane neared the crest of the hill, excessive braking was applied and the airplane subsequently nosed-over resulting in substantial damage to the right lift strut and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8996Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8996Y), registered now, S/N 18-7409138, built 1974 (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: 18-7409138
- Year built: 1974
- Airframe hours: 3505.69
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 2021
- Departed: 4AK6, Wasilla, AK
- Destination: 4AK6, Wasilla, AK
- Airport: PVT, Private
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 22, 2021; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,686 total, 743 in this make and model
- Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 900 total, 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observed at: PATK, 24 nm away
- METAR: PATK 012253Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 24/07 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP157 T02390072

## 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 20210701012149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210701012149A), Jul 1, 2021: Piper PA-18-150, Petersville, AK, Substantial damage. Description: the accident occurred during an instructional flight with the purpose of teaching uphill landing techniques. After landing and cresting the hill,…

## Other investigations on N8996Y (3)

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 GAA16CA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA004), Oct 2, 2015: Piper PA 18-150 (N8996Y), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive brake application during landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB ANC80DAG62](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DAG62-201182), Jun 1, 1980: Piper PA-18 (N8996Y), Willow, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC76DAA67](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAA67), Sep 5, 1976: Piper PA-18 (N8996Y), Baird Mts, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103462. 8.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 7.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12490000&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N8996Y%20NTSB%20report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo (source unknown) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12490074&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photo-Rel.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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