# NTSB ANC78FA034: Piper PA-18, N13973, Homer, AK, April 30, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 30, 1978
- Place: Homer, AK · HOMER, AK
- Location: 59.6404° N, 151.5091° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Homer, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.6404&lon=-151.5091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 141539
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC78FA034
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78FA034

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3309  78/4/30  NR.HOMER,AK           PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 47, 1070
        TIME - 1720                    N13973              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 900 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         HOMER,AK                     ANCHORAGE,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- LARGE ROCK ON BEACH USED FOR TKOF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13973](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13973), registered now, S/N 18-8985, built 1972 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (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 19780430042409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780430042409A), Apr 30, 1978: Piper PA18150, Homer, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Large rock on beach used for tkof.

## Other investigations on N13973 (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 ANC11FA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11FA093), Sep 4, 2011: Piper PA-18-150 (N13973), McGrath, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot inadvertently switched off the engine magnetos during short final approach, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the manufacturer's placement of the…

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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