# NTSB ANC84FA042: Piper PA-18-150, N5976D, Galena, AK, March 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1984, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Galena, AK
- Coordinates: 64.739646, -156.850402 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7396&lon=-156.8504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4192
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4192/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84FA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF ON A REPORTED LOW LEVEL HUNTING TRIP. DURING THE FLT, THE ACFT CRASHED ON SNOW COVERED TERRAIN NEAR A GROUP OF TREES. IT CAME TO REST IN A NEAR VERTICAL, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE WITH CRUSHING DAMAGE ON THE NOSE & LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT AFTER IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5976D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5976D-1984-07-17), registration cancelled 1984-07-17, S/N 18-5438 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5438
- Airframe hours: 1059
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David J. Kurhajec
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GAL, GALENA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Observed at: GAL, 18 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 19840312007029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840312007029A), Mar 12, 1984: Piper PA18A150, Galena, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed during low level hunting trip.

## Other investigations on N5976D (1)

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 ANC81FAA26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81FAA26), Aug 17, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N5976D), Kotzebue, 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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