# NTSB ANC84LA100: Piper PA-18, N4164Z, Flathorn Lake, AK, June 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1984, 22:30 local (Jun 25, 1984, 06:30 UTC)
- Place: Flathorn Lake, AK
- Coordinates: 61.159946, -149.989456 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1599&lon=-149.9895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4311
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4311/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA100

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGERS,THE PLT WAS FLYING AT APRX 250 FT WHEN THEY SAW A BEAR. AFTER STARTING A LEFT TURN, THE NOSE OF THE ACFT DROPPED. ONE PASSENGER SAID THE PLT MADE A TIGHT TURN BEFORE THE PLANE LOST ITS LIFT. THE OTHER PASSENGER STATED THAT THE ACFT SPIRALED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4164Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4164Z-2012-11-20), registration cancelled 2012-11-20, S/N 18-8345, built 1965 (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: 188345
- Airframe hours: 1120
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vern W. Mahoney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1983, 110 hours before
- Departed: SKW, SKWENTNA, AK
- Destination: FLATHORN LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 75 total, 75 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 19 °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 19840624029879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840624029879A), Jun 24, 1984: Piper PA18150, Flathorn Lake, AK, Destroyed. Stalled in a steep bank while chaseing a bear on the ground. Failed to recover from the ensuing spiral.

## Other investigations on N4164Z (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 ANC67F0083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC67F0083), Jan 13, 1967: Piper PA-18 (N4164Z), Akiachak, 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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