# NTSB ANC81DAG61: Piper PA-18, N57617, Kenai, AK, July 24, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 24, 1981
- Place: Kenai, AK · KENAI, AK
- Location: 60.5618° N, 151.2105° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kenai, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5618&lon=-151.2105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 23, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125144
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC81DAG61
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG61

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1824  81/7/24  NR.KENAI,AK           PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 46, 2865
        TIME - 1313                    N57617              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 2298 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ANCHORAGE,AK                WEST FORELANDS,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      1500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      58
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          330                                                       20
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- FLOAT EQUIPPED.ENCTRD DWNDFT DRG LOW PASS OVR BEACH NR BLUFFS TO SGL GND PSNL.L FLOAT HIT 6FT ROCK
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57617](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57617), registered now, S/N 18-7709125, built 1977 (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 19810724044219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810724044219A), Jul 24, 1981: Piper PA18150, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was dropping objects to person on ground and float hit rock causing aircraft to crash.

## Other investigations on N57617 (4)

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 ANC25LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA033), Apr 9, 2025: Piper PA-18-150 (N57617), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane was not attaining sufficient airspeed for takeoff and subsequently departed the end of the lake and collided with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC96LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA094), Jul 3, 1996: Piper PA-18 (N57617), Cantwell, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. A factor in the accident was the crosswind.
- [NTSB ANC84LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA161), Sep 1, 1984: Piper PA-18-150 (N57617), Slana, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC82DAG19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG19), Apr 30, 1982: Piper PA-18-150 (N57617), Birchwood, AK, substantial damage

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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