# NTSB ANC69D0066: Piper PA-18, N3797Z, Whittier, AK, September 29, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 29, 1968
- Place: Whittier, AK · WHITTIER, AK
- Location: 60.7771° N, 148.6659° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Whittier, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7771&lon=-148.6659&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1969
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 107556
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC69D0066
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69D0066

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4103  68/9/29    WHITTIER,ALAS       PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 46, 400
        TIME - 1100                    N3797Z              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 150 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           TERRAIN - ROUGH WATER
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      100
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1 MILE OR LESS                                           RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      35
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           90                                                       15
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- FLOAT EQUIPPED ACFT STRUCK SWELLS,DAMAGED FUSELAGE. PLT HAD BEEN WEATHERED IN FOR 3 DAYS AT LAKE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3797Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3797Z), registered now, S/N 18-7492 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a2a) (registry code 42261, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N3797Z (3)

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 ANC25LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA120), Sep 14, 2025: Piper PA-18-150 (N3797Z), St Mary's, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper decision to takeoff with a tailwind, from a short off-airport strip, which degraded the climb performance of the airplane and led to impact with trees at the end of the strip.
- [NTSB GAA17CA569](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA569), Sep 25, 2017: Piper PA 18 (N3797Z), Beluga, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inability to maintain pitch control due to an encounter with a tailwind gust after the airplane had stopped, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB ANC10CA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA008), Nov 14, 2009: Piper PA-18-150 (N3797Z), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to land and attempt to takeoff from an unsuitable off-airport site.

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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