# NTSB ANC80FA084: Piper PA-18, N2487H, Cordova, AK, August 13, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 13, 1980
- Place: Cordova, AK · CORDOVA, AK
- Location: 60.5428° N, 145.7575° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cordova, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5428&lon=-145.7575&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129214
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC80FA084
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80FA084

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2635  80/8/13  NR.CORDOVA,AK         PIPER PA-18         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 29, UNK/NR
        TIME - UNK/NR                  N2487H              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 23 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CORDOVA,AK                  ELLIMAR,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           WEATHER - RAIN
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST/LOWER SCATTERED                                  1500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- FLOAT EQUIPPED.CRASHED IN MARSHY VALLEY AT NGT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2487H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2487H), registered now, S/N 18-7909195, built 1979 (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: Destroyed

## 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 19800813063709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800813063709A), Aug 13, 1980: Piper PA18150, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. Evidence VFR pilot lost control of airplane in marginal weather at night with no ground lights for reference.

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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