# NTSB ANC23LA084: Piper PA-18-150, N8192D, Bethel, AK, September 20, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 20, 2023, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, AK · gravel strip
- Coordinates: 60.15, -160.08
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1500&lon=-160.0800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: 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: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193128
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193128/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193128
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA084

## Probable cause

The pilot’s excessive use of brakes during landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.

## Findings

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

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Action: unnecessary action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/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)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing: 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 reported that while landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane at a remote off airport site, he inadvertently applied excessive braking during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over and substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8192D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8192D), registered now, S/N 18-6130, built 1957 (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: 18-6130
- Year built: 1957
- Airframe hours: 3948
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4P 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 2022, 200 hours before
- Departed: PABE, Bethel, AK
- Destination: Same as departure
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 10, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 660 total, 560 in this make and model, 616 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 17 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.61 inHg
- Observed at: ABE, 64 nm away
- METAR: PABE 201953Z 34017G25KT 10SM BKN010 OVC014 06/04 A2961 RMK AO2 CIG 007V013 SLP028 T00560044

## 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 20230920015119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230920015119A), Sep 20, 2023: Piper PA-18-150, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was moving camping gear from one location to another. On his way back into the strip he was camping at, pilot landed in a wheel landing configuration.…

## Other investigations on N8192D (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 GAA18CA567](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA567), Sep 21, 2018: Piper PA18 (N8192D), St. Mary's, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable off-airport landing area, which resulted in a ground loop.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 4, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193128. 2.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16275773&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 615 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16275882&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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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