# NTSB ANC85FA056: Piper PA-18, N62744, Koyukuk, AK, March 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1985, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Koyukuk, AK
- Coordinates: 64.899726, -157.689666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8997&lon=-157.6897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4401
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85FA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4401/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA056

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - other
  - miscellaneous equipment - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PLTS OF N62744 & THREE OTHER ACFT WERE ON AN AERIAL HUNTING FLT. WITNESSES IN TWO OF THE OTHER ACFT STATED THE PLT OF N62744 WAS MANEUVERING NEAR A WOLVERINE, BUT WAS FLYING TOO FAST. HE ANNOUNCED ON THE RADIO THAT HE WAS GOING TO COME BACK FOR ANOTHER PASS. THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP CLIMBING TURN TO THE LEFT, BUT STALLED AT APRX 150 FT AGL, THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. AN EXAM OF THE CRASH SITE REVEALED THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED LEFT WING 1ST, WITH LITTLE OR NO ROTATION. THE PLT/OWNER WAS NOT USING A SHOULDER HARNESS THAT WAS INSTALLED IN THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62744](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62744), registered now, S/N 18-7809109, built 1978 (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: 187809109
- Airframe hours: 662
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Frank Voves
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1984, 86 hours before
- Departed: GAL, GALENA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 685 total, 620 in this make and model, 643 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point -0 °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 19850314009619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850314009619A), Mar 14, 1985: Piper PA18150, Koyukuk, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled while maneuvering at low altitude on aerial wolverine hunt. Impacted ground from 150 feet.

## Other investigations on N62744 (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 GAA17CA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA057), Nov 7, 2016: Piper PA18 (N62744), Mouth of The Big Susitna River, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to take off with a gusting quartering tailwind and his subsequent loss of airplane control.

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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