# NTSB ANC85LA137: Piper PA-18, N14159, Drift River, AK, July 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1985, 16:00 local (Jul 29, 1985, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Drift River, AK
- Location: 60.5917° N, 152.1611° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Drift River, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5917&lon=-152.1611&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadeq substantiation process,inadeq documentation, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadeq method of compliance determination rcrdkpng, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate certification/approval,airman, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - qualification, faa(other/organization) (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering

## Analysis

APLN CRASHED ON GRAVEL BAR AFTER WING TIP HIT GROUND DURING LOW ALT TURN. THE UNLICESED PLT STATED THAT HE WA S IN HIS SECOND 360 DEG TURN & HIT HIS OWN WAKE TURBULENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14159](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14159-2018-03-21), registration cancelled 2018-03-21, S/N 18-7409096, built 1974 (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: 18-7409096
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael A. Todd
- Departed: DRIFT RIVER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °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 19850728034219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850728034219A), Jul 28, 1985: Piper PA18150, Drift River, AK, Substantial damage. Wing struck ground while completing a 360 at low altitude. Unlicensed pilot encountered his own wake turbulence.

## Other investigations on N14159 (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 MKC75DCJ16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75DCJ16), Aug 4, 1974: Piper PA-18 (N14159), Dunning, NE, 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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