ANC24LA033

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA-18-150 · Dry Creek, AK · May 14, 2024

Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal report
Date
May 14, 2024, 15:10 local (23:10 UTC)
Place
Dry Creek, AK · Remote airstrip
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N4387ZPiper PA-18-150
Defining event
Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
Investigation class
Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
NTSB office
Alaska Regional Office
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20240514009119A
Case key
194287

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The pilot receiving instruction’s excessive use of brakes during landing, and the pilot providing instruction’s inadequate supervision, resulting in a nose-over.

Findings · 3

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause
Landing gear system: brakeAircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operationAll aircraft: 297 casesProbable cause
Attention/monitoring: monitoring other personPersonnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilotAll aircraft: 200 casesProbable cause

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Nose over/nose downLanding-landing rollAll aircraft: 2,287 casesDefining event

Analysis

The operator reported that the purpose of the flight was to provide initial off-airport training to a pilot in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The pilot receiving instruction was seated in the front seat, and the pilot providing instruction was seated in the back seat. After completing a series of stop-and-go landings at various off-airport sites, the pair landed at a 600 ft gravel-covered site. After a brief stay at the site, the pair elected to continue practicing stop-and-go landings. During the second landing at the site, as the pilot receiving instruction was manipulating the controls, the airplane bounced slightly at touchdown, then it touched down again in a three-point landing. As the landing rollout continued, about half-way down the site, the airplane decelerated quickly, and the tail began to rise. In an attempt to lower the tail of the airplane, the pilot providing instruction applied full aft elevator, and tried to instruct the pilot receiving instruction to correct the excessive braking action. The airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the rudder, and wing struts. The operator stated that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Aircraft

Registration
N4387Z
Reported as
Piper PA-18-150
Category
Airplane
Serial number
18-8709
Built
1968
Airframe hours
6,202.9
Engine
Lycoming O-320-B2B, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Other work use · Public use
Operator
State Of Alaska
Registered owner
State Of Alaska
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · March 26, 2024 · 25.2 hours before
Destination
PVT · Delta Junction, AK
Flight plan
Company VFR

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Flight instructor
Age
46
Injuries
None
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine sea, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
Last flight review
June 3, 2023
Seat
Rear
Restraint
4-point
Flight hours
3,770 total · 1,600 in this make and model · 3,670 as pilot in command · 35 in the last 90 days
Role
Pilot
Age
29
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine sea, Single-engine land
Medical
Class 2, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
April 28, 2024
Seat
Front
Restraint
4-point
Flight hours
446 total · 367 in this make and model · 352 as pilot in command · 70 in the last 90 days · 27 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
230° at 8 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
6,000 ft broken
Temperature
46 °F, dew point 36 °F
Altimeter
29.91 inHg
Observed at
PABI, 39 nm away
METAR
PABI 142353Z 23008KT 10SM FEW022 FEW046 BKN060 BKN130 08/02 A2991 RMK AO2 RAE45 SLP143 SHRA DSNT NE/S P0000 60000 T00830022 10094 20050 56007

Docket · 2

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2025, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 3.3 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.