# NTSB ANC25LA012: Piper PA-18-150, N3802Z, Palmer, AK, December 25, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 24, 2024, 16:00 local (Dec 25, 2024, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK · Open field - Coordinates: 61.614951, -149.07413 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6150&lon=-149.0741&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - 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 - NTSB case key (mKey): 199467 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199467/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199467 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA012 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper airspeed management which resulted in a bounced landing and insufficient airspeed to perform a go around procedure. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; 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) - [Aircraft capability: landing distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 68 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing in an open field with a raised driveway that crossed the landing surface. The driveway was about two feet higher than the landing surface. The airplane was landing into a left quartering headwind that was about 15 to 20 mph. The pilot said he was planning to touchdown just after the driveway, but just prior to reaching the driveway the airplane lost the headwind and descended. The airplane touched down prior to the driveway and it bounced when it crossed over the raised driveway. The pilot attempted to go around, but did not have sufficient airspeed. The pilot then continued the landing and the airplane’s right lift strut impacted a parked car, and a trailer, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3802Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3802Z), registered now, S/N 18-7535, built 1960 (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: 18-7535 - Year built: 1960 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 2024 - Departed: PAWS, Wasilla, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 11, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 28.84 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 3 nm away - METAR: PAAQ 250053Z 36009KT 10SM CLR M01/M07 A2884 RMK AO2 SLP771 T10061072 $ ## Other investigations on N3802Z (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 ANC12CA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA110), Sep 21, 2012: Piper PA-18-150 (N3802Z), Port Alsworth, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions from an off-airport site, which resulted in a collision with terrain and a nose over. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 13, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199467. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18198301&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA012%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 889 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18198843&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. --- 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.