# NTSB ANC83LA162: Piper PA-18-150, N4097Z, Skwentna, AK, September 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1983, 09:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.930828, -151.729843 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9308&lon=-151.7298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (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): 4164
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4164/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA162

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE ACFT STALLED INTO THE GROUND ON FINAL APPROACH LANDING IN GUSTY TURBULENT WIND CONDITIONS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO LAND WHEN A GUST OF WIND FLIPPED THE ACFT OVER AT 500 FT AGL. HE SAID HE CORRECTED WITH LEFT AILERON BUT BY THE TIME HE COULD RECOVER HE HAD LOST TOO MUCH ALTITUDE AND PANCAKED INTO THE GROUND. FSS WERE AVAILABLE TO THE PILOTBY TELEPHONE OR RADIO BUT HE DID NOT RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING. THE WEATHER WAS VMC BUT THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 270 DEGREES AT 20 KTS, GUSTING TO 25 KTS. WITH MODERATE TURBULENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4097Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4097Z), registered now, S/N 18-8111, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- 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: 18-8111
- Airframe hours: 2997
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David J. Parnow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1983, 89 hours before
- Departed: ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: SKW, Skwetna

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 676 total, 676 in this make and model, 641 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °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 19830904047219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830904047219A), Sep 4, 1983: Piper PA18150, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was flipped by turbulence on final approach for landing resulting in a hard landing and 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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