# NTSB ANC85LA133: Piper PA-18, N8688D, Palmer, AK, July 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1985, 18:30 local (Jul 25, 1985, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.61919, -148.980072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6192&lon=-148.9801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (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): 4529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA133

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT STATED, '... ON THE GO-AROUND ATTEMPT I GOT BEHIND THE POWER CURVE & COULD NOT CLEAR THE TREES. IT STALLED & TURNED TO THE LEFT, HITTING THE TREES ABOUT 15 FT OFF THE GROUND WHICH CUSHIONED THE FALL & THEN SLID DOWN TO THE GROUND.' THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN A FLD WHICH IS SURROUNDED BY 40 FT TALL TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8688D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8688D), registered now, S/N 18-6295 (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: 186295
- Airframe hours: 4871
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lewis Don Bradley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1985, 64 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 63 total, 63 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °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 19850724034499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850724034499A), Jul 24, 1985: Piper PA18150, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. After poor landing attempted a go around into tall trees. Stalled into trees and aircraft slid to the ground.

## Other investigations on N8688D (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 ANC67D0028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC67D0028), Jun 5, 1966: Piper PA-18 (N8688D), Skwentna, 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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