# NTSB ANC23LA055: Piper PA-18, N37WP, Palmer, AK, July 13, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 13, 2023, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK · Friday Creek
- Coordinates: 61.531489, -148.66972 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5315&lon=-148.6697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 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: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192672
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192672/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192672
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA055

## Probable cause

The student pilot’s inadvertent application of the brakes, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The instructor pilot reported that he was conducting training in a tailwheel equipped airplane, and during takeoff the student pilot inadvertently applied the brakes and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the rudder. The instructor pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37WP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N37WP), registered now, S/N 18-756 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-756
- Airframe hours: 7146.8
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hunter Creek LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 2023
- Departed: 4AK6, Palmer, AK
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 29, 2022; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,413.7 total, 203.9 in this make and model, 1,364.7 as pilot in command, 127.7 in the last 90 days, 94.9 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 39; injuries: minor; airline transport, military; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,800 total, 870 as pilot in command, 223 in the last 90 days, 14.7 in the last 30 days, 3.1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: PAAQ
- METAR: SA	13/07/2023 22:53->	
METAR PAAQ 132253Z 11005KT 10SM FEW035 SCT075 23/13 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP192 T02280133=

## Other investigations on N37WP (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 ERA15CA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA148), Mar 2, 2015: Piper PA 18 (N37WP), Murfreesboro, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a ground-loop and the left wing dragging the runway.
- [NTSB ANC12CA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA086), Aug 13, 2012: Piper PA-18 (N37WP), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The passenger's inadvertent application of the brake pedals during landing, which resulted in a noseover.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 1, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192672. 5.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16007954&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA055%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16009011&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA055%20Memo%20no%20Photographs-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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