# NTSB ANC85LA064: Piper PA-18, N91003, Kenai, AK, April 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1985, 11:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.660678, -150.900497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6607&lon=-150.9005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (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): 4478
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4478/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA064

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OCCUPIED BY THE OWNER/PLT, A 42 YR OLD STUDENT PLT SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT, AND A 41 YR OLD PRIVATE PLT, A CAREER POLICE OFFICER OF THE ANCHORAGE POLICE FORCE, WHO WAS SEATED IN THE REAR SEAT OF THIS 2 SEAT ACFT. THE SEATS WERE IN A TANDEN ARRANGEMENT. THE ACFT WAS PILOTED BY THE FRONT SEAT OWNER, BUT WAS TECHANICALLY UNDER THE COMMAND OF THE BACK SEAT PLT BY VIRTUE OF HIS RATING. ALSO BY DEFINITION THE PRIVATE (REAR SEAT) PLT IS CONSIDERED PIC TO DEFER NECESSITY FOR FAA ACTION AGAINST THE STUDENT PLT/OWNER FOR CARRYING PASS'G AGAINST REGULATION. REPORTEDLY THE ACFT SWERVED & DRAGGED A WING WHILE TAXIING IN AFTER LANDING. THE PIC REPORTEDLY HAS 210 FLT HRS OF WHICH TWO (2) WERE CREDITED TO THE TYPE OF ACFT INVOLVED IN THIS ACC. THE PIC, FAILED TO PROPERLY COMPLETE HIS MEDICAL INFORMATION, HIS BIENNIAL FLT REV STATUS, AND THE NTSB FORM 6120.1 (ACC REPORT). HE DID NOT RESPOND TO NUMEROUS REQUESTS FOR FURTHER INFO ABOUT THE ACC. THE STUDENT PLTS FORM SIMPLY STATED: SLIGHT X-WIND ON FINAL, GROUNDLOOPED AFTER TD, CAUGHT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91003](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91003-2014-04-11), registration cancelled 2014-04-11, S/N 18-8109059, built 1981 (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: 18-8109059
- Airframe hours: 610
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert W. White
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Airport: ENA, Kenai, runway 19, 7,575 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 210 total, 2 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ENA

## 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 19850418014979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850418014979A), Apr 18, 1985: Piper PA18150, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control after downwind landing and ground looped.

## Other investigations on N91003 (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 LAX00LA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA309), Aug 21, 2000: Piper PA-18-150 (N91003), Scottsdale, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control on the landing rollout. Also causal to the accident was his failure to retract flaps during the aborted landing attempt, which lead to a loss of…

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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