# NTSB ANC85LA080: Piper PA-18-150, N4621Y, Iliamna, AK, May 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1985, 18:00 local (May 11, 1985, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Iliamna, AK
- Coordinates: 59.849227, -154.560028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8492&lon=-154.5600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA080

## Analysis

THE PILOT IN COMMAND STATED HE WAS FLYING IN WHITEOUT CONDITIONS WHEN HE OBSERVED AN ISLAND PASS BY THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE AIRPLANE. HE STARTED A RIGHT TURN AND THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE LAKE ICE SURFACE. HE STATED HE DID NOT REALIZE HE WAS THAT LOW.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4621Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4621Y-2023-11-27), registration cancelled 2023-11-27, S/N 18-8942 (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: 18-8942
- Airframe hours: 1742
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Mieczkowski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1984
- Departed: AKN, KING SALMON, AK
- Destination: ILI, ILIAMNA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,369 total, 1,369 in this make and model, 1,369 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 1 statute miles

## 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 19850510016579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850510016579A), May 10, 1985: Piper PA18150, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Right wingtip contacted ice during turn towards an island. White out conditions existed.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.