# NTSB ANC83LA184: Piper PA-18, N3873Z, Port Alsworth, AK, September 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1983, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Alsworth, AK
- Coordinates: 60.200435, -154.280319 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2004&lon=-154.2803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4179/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA184

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PLT WAS LOOKING AT AN AREA IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN NEAR AN OFF ARPT LANDING AREA WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED WINDSHEAR & A DOWNDRAFT WHILE TURNING. HE STATED THAT THE ALFT DROPPED 400 FT & HE APPLIED FULL POWER; HOWEVER, THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND BEFORE HE COULD RECOVER. THE ACFT THEN CARTWHEELED & CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS TURBULENCE & THE WIND WAS FROM 360 DEG AT 30 GUSTING 35 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3873Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3873Z), registered now, S/N 18-7661, built 1961 (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: 18-7661
- Airframe hours: 3489
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Michael Rank
- Registered owner: Nelson J. Stimaker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1982, 160 hours before
- Departed: Z30, PORT ALSWORTH, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,114 total, 1,016 in this make and model, 1,971 as pilot in command, 376 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 30 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °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 19830923053909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830923053909A), Sep 23, 1983: Piper PA18, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was maneuvering aircraft close to ground when turbulence caused wing to dig in and cartwheel aircraft.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.