# NTSB ANC81FA084: Piper PA-18, N5987Z, Cordova, AK, July 27, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 27, 1981
- 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: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 16, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124530
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC81FA084
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81FA084

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1836  81/7/27  NR.CORDOVA,AK         PIPER PA-18         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 52, 1280
        TIME - UNK/NR                  N5987Z              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          CORDOVA,AK                  RETURN                       CAPE SUCKLING,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
        REMARKS- GROSS WT 22LBS OVR MAX LMT,CG 3.1 IN BHND AFT LMT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5987Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5987Z-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 18-8246, built 1965 (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 19810727062289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810727062289A), Jul 27, 1981: Piper PA18150, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Pilot attempted takeoff from beach. Wing hit driftwood which caused loss of control. May have been overweight.

## Other investigations on N5987Z (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 SEA68F0260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68F0260), Mar 23, 1968: Piper PA-18 (N5987Z), Dell, MT, 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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