# NTSB ANC83FA167: Piper PA-18, N3421P, Kotzebue, AK, September 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1983, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Coordinates: 67.240371, -161.189865 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2404&lon=-161.1899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4056
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4056/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA167

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT & HIS WIFE HAD FLOWN TO AN AREA WHERE SHE HAD SEEN A CARIBOU THAT SHE WANTED TO SHOOT. AFTER LANDING ON A GRAVEL BAR, SHE SHOT THE CARIBOU, BUT THEN COMPLAINED OF A BAD HEADACHE & VISION PROBLEMS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THEY LOADED THE MEAT & HORNS IN THE ACFT, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, HIS WIFE'S HEADACHE HAD GOTTEN WORSE. HE THOUGHT THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT APRX 20 FT AGL, HIS WIFE MADE AN UNUSUAL SOUND & HE FELT A STRONG FORCE ON THE RIGHT RUDDER. (LATER, HE STATED THAT HE THOUGHT SHE HAD A SEIZURE.) REPORTEDLY, HE SHOUTED FOR HER TO GET OFF OF THE CONTROLS, THEN FELT A LOSS OF LIFT & WAS UNABLE TO OVERCOME THE RUDDER FORCE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED ON A RIVER BANK. HIS WIFE RECEIVED A HEAD INJURY & WAS FATALLY INJURED. AN AUTOPSY OF THE PLT'S WIFE DID NOT VERIFY THAT SHE HAD A SEIZURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3421P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3421P), registered now, S/N 18-6775, built 1958 (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: 18-6775
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James P. Jacobson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1983, 60 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,712 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 4,579 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 19 °F

## 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 19830910047809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830910047809A), Sep 10, 1983: Piper PA18150, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Passenger collapsed and jammed rudder during takeoff causing pilot to lose control resulting in crash.

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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