# NTSB ANC78DAG31: Piper PA-18, N2494A, Valdez, AK, March 13, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: March 13, 1978
- Place: Valdez, AK · VALDEZ, AK
- Location: 61.1308° N, 146.3483° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Valdez, AK, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1308&lon=-146.3483&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 11, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143356
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC78DAG31
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78DAG31

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0614  78/3/13  NR.VALDEZ,AK          PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 43, 5700
        TIME - 1545                    N2494A              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 2000 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          VALDEZ,AK                   LOCAL FLT                   VALDEZ,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - SNOW
           TERRAIN - SNOW-COVERED
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  3000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          SNOW
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       36
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- LACK OF VISUAL CUES AFTER SUN WENT DOWN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2494A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2494A), registered now, S/N 18-1961, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19780313006669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780313006669A), Mar 13, 1978: Piper PA18135, Valdez, AK, Substantial damage. Lack of visual cues after sun went down.

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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