# NTSB ANC84LA161: Piper PA-18-150, N57617, Slana, AK, September 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1984, 14:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Slana, AK
- Location: 62.7069° N, 143.9611° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Slana, AK, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.7069&lon=-143.9611&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (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): 4359
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4359/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT RAN OFF OF A NARROW PUBLIC ROAD DURING LANDING. THE PLT SAID A GUST OF CROSSWIND CAUGHT HIS RIGHT WING AND TURNED THE ACFT OFF THE ROAD INTO THE BUSHES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57617](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57617), registered now, S/N 18-7709125, built 1977 (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: 187709125
- Airframe hours: 870
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jimmy L. Harkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1984, 90 hours before
- Departed: TUMBLE CREEK, AK
- Destination: SLANA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 630 total, 630 in this make and model, 590 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °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 19840901045549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840901045549A), Sep 1, 1984: Piper PA18150, Slana, AK, Substantial damage. After aircraft touched down on road, gust of wind caused aircraft to veer off of road into bushes.

## Other investigations on N57617 (4)

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 ANC25LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA033), Apr 9, 2025: Piper PA-18-150 (N57617), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane was not attaining sufficient airspeed for takeoff and subsequently departed the end of the lake and collided with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC96LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA094), Jul 3, 1996: Piper PA-18 (N57617), Cantwell, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. A factor in the accident was the crosswind.
- [NTSB ANC82DAG19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG19), Apr 30, 1982: Piper PA-18-150 (N57617), Birchwood, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC81DAG61](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG61), Jul 24, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N57617), Kenai, 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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