# NTSB ANC23LA040: Piper PA-18-150, N83330, Anchorage, AK, June 4, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 4, 2023, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK · Off airport, near the Susitna river (Big Sue) - Coordinates: 61.3, -150.6 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3000&lon=-150.6000&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 192329 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192329/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive braking during landing on a sand bar, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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) - [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) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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 pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while conducting an off airport landing to a sand bar, the airplane landed beyond the intended landing point. During the landing roll on soft terrain, the pilot applied heavy braking and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right-wing lift strut and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83330](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83330), registered now, S/N 18-7609080, built 1976 (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: 18-7609080 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 435 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 2022 - Departed: AK89, Wasilla, AK - Destination: Same as departure ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 22, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 883.1 total, 883.1 as pilot in command, 8.6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: PANC, 20 nm away - METAR: PANC 041853Z 33006KT 10SM FEW040 BKN070 BKN110 12/06 A3022 RMK AO2 SLP234 T01170061 ## 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 20230604007839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230604007839A), Jun 4, 2023: Piper PA-18-150, Susitna River D, AK, Substantial damage. On June 4, 2023, about 1030 local time, the PIC of the PA18 was making a landing along the bank of the Susitna River delta. The PIC landed the aircraft on a… ## Other investigations on N83330 (2) 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 ANC15CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA028), May 17, 2015: Piper PA 18-150 (N83330), Seward, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive braking during landing, which resulted in a nose over. - [NTSB SEA89LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA165), Aug 31, 1989: Piper PA-18-150 (N83330), Burns Junction, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF. 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.