# NTSB ANC83FA075: Piper PA-18, N4396Z, Soldotna, AK, April 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1983, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Soldotna, AK
- Coordinates: 60.319202, -150.789627 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3192&lon=-150.7896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4024
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4024/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA075

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT MANEUVERING ERRATICALLY NEAR THE ARPT & ANTICIPATED THE ACCIDENT. THE 1ST APPROACH TO RWY 25WAS DESCRIBED AS ERRATIC WITH MINIMAL APPARENT CONTROL WHICH INCLUDED AN ABRUPT PULL-UP, STALL, BOUNCE, & GO-AROUND IN ALEFT PATTERN AT 300 FT AGL. THE 2ND BASE LEG WAS A VERY SHALLOW(FLAT/SKIDDING) TURN & THE ACFT DISAPPEARED BEHIND TREES.THE PLT HAD A HISTORY OF DISEQUILIBRIUM & HAD INTERMITTENTLY BEEN TAKING DYAZIDE FOR HYPERTENSION OF UNKNOWN DOSES. ALL OF THE PLT'S PHYSICIANS & SURGEONS DECLINED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION. THE PLT HAD NOT OBTAINED A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE SINCE12/28/77.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4396Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4396Z), registered now, S/N 18-8727, built 1968 (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
- Serial number: 18-8727
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Lawrence Borgen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KENAI, AK
- Destination: SXQ, SOLDOTNA, AK
- Airport: SXQ, Soldotna, runway 25, 4,973 × 130 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SXQ, 8 nm away

## 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 19830425071329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830425071329A), Apr 25, 1983: Piper PA18150, Soldotna, AK, Destroyed. Aircraft was observed flying erratically and then disappearing after go around in traffic pattern.

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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