# NTSB ANC84LA020: Piper PA-18, N83278, Fort Yukon, AK, November 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1983, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Yukon, AK
- Coordinates: 66.559288, -145.249176 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.5593&lon=-145.2492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA020

## 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 - base leg/base to final
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS APPROACHING A LAKE FOR LANDING. HE CAME OVER THE LAKE & STARTED WHAT BECAME A 270 DEG TURN TOWARD THE LANDING DIRECTION. AT THE END OF THE TURN HE TIGHTENED UP THE TURN & THE ACFT STALLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83278](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83278), registered now, S/N 18-7709047, built 1976 (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: 18-7709047
- Airframe hours: 657
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Keith Mitchell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1983, 10 hours before
- Departed: LAKLOEY, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,191 total, 96 in this make and model, 1,155 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °F, dew point 1 °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 19831127060079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831127060079A), Nov 27, 1983: Piper PA18150, Ft Yukon, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stalled aircraft during tight turn to final approach. Engine running rough from carburetor ice.

## Other investigations on N83278 (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 ANC09CA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA082), Aug 14, 2009: Piper PA-18-150 (N83278), Kaktovik, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.

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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