# NTSB ANC24LA002: Piper PA-18-150, N3994Z, Wasilla, AK, November 4, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 4, 2023, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK · IYS
- Coordinates: 61.572, -149.5395
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5720&lon=-149.5395&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
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193357
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193357/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193357
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA002

## Probable cause

The instructor pilot’s delayed action and over application of brakes which resulted in a nose-over.

## Findings

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

- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/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)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [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-18-150, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 98 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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

While conducting an instructional flight in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, during the landing phase, the pilot receiving instruction touched down and the airplane began to veer towards the edge of the runway surface. The instructor pilot reported that, due to limited visibility he was slow to correct the veer. The instructor pilot took control of the airplane and applied the brakes which resulted in a nose-over and substantial damage to the rudder and right wing strut. The instructor pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3994Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3994Z), registered now, S/N 18-7943, built 1963 (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: 18-7943
- Year built: 1963
- Airframe hours: 9357
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 2023
- Departed: PAQ, Palmer, AK
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: IYS, Wasilla Airport, runway 22, 1,620 × 60 ft, gravel
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2023; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,395 total, 89 in this make and model, 5,593 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 25, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 65 total, 2 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.36 inHg
- Observed at: AWS
- METAR: PAWS 042256Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 03/02 A2936 RMK AO2 SLP947 T00280017

## 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 20231104018449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231104018449A), Nov 4, 2023: Piper PA-18-150, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Instructional flight for tail wheel endorsement practicing conventional wheel landings in PA-18 aircraft with flight instructor sitting in rear seat and…

## Other investigations on N3994Z (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 ANC25LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA071), Jun 3, 2025: Piper PA-18-150 (N3994Z), Willow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action/lack of supervision. Contributing to the accident was the pilot receiving instructions failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll…
- [NTSB UNK65X0834](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0834), Nov 25, 1964: Piper PA18 (N3994Z), Marfa, TX, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 28, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193357. 3.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16396609&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 875 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16396250&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA002%20Photos-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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