# NTSB ANC83LA061: Piper PA-18A, N8081C, W. Clam Gulch, AK, March 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1983, 09:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: W. Clam Gulch, AK
- Coordinates: 60.210464, -151.399459 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2105&lon=-151.3995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4108
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4108/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA061

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT STALLED AND CRASHED DURING AN APPROACH TO LAND IN A WILDERNESS AREA. ACCORDING TO THE PLT HE WAS PREOCCUPIED WITH LANDING NEAR A WOLVERINE HE WANTED TO SHOOT. HIS APPROACH WAS TOO HIGH SO HE CLOSED THE THROTTLE PUT DOWN FULL FLAPS AND STARTED A TURN. THE PLT THOUGHT HE HIT A DOWNDRAFT AS THE ACFT STALLED. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO RECOVER BEFORE HITTING THE GROUND. HE BELIEVES THAT HIS SHOULDER HARNESS SAVED HIM FROM SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8081C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8081C), registered now, S/N 18-3485, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-135) (registry code 7101822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-3485
- Airframe hours: 4866
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vernon L. Nowell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 1983, 69 hours before
- Departed: Z38, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: REMOTE AREA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 497 total, 468 in this make and model, 462 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830330010149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830330010149A), Mar 30, 1983: Piper PA18A135, Clam Gulch, AK, Substantial damage. During maneuvering to land, aircraft stalled and crashed on final approach for landing.

## Other investigations on N8081C (2)

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 DEN79DTC11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79DTC11), Apr 20, 1979: Piper PA-18A (N8081C), Casper, WY, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC76DAH32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH32), Jul 1, 1976: Piper PA-18 (N8081C), Copper Center, 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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