# NTSB ANC70D0074: Piper PA-18, N7178K, Fairbanks, AK, October 9, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 9, 1969
- Place: Fairbanks, AK · FAIRBANKS, AK
- Location: 64.8378° N, 147.7164° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fairbanks, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8378&lon=-147.7164&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 20, 1970
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 159575
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC70D0074
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC70D0074

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2794   69/10/9 NR.FAIRBANKS,ALAS     PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 25, 173
        TIME - 1430                    N7178K              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 119 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HOWARD HILL STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         FAIRBANKS,ALAS               FAIRBANKS,ALAS
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     RIGHT QUARTERING HEAD WIND 023-067 DEGREES
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          225                                                       20
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- WIND GUSTING 30K.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7178K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7178K), registered now, S/N 18-549, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Howard Hill Strip

## Other investigations on N7178K (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 ANC26LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA065), Jun 24, 2026: Piper PA-18-125 (N7178K), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

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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