# NTSB ANC85LA159: Piper PA-18, N625SW, Gulkana, AK, August 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1985, 19:00 local (Aug 22, 1985, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Gulkana, AK
- Location: 62.2714° N, 145.3822° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gulkana, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.2714&lon=-145.3822&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): 4549
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4549/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA159

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT HAD DEPARTED AN AIRSTRIP TO PROCEED ON A HUNTING TRIP. IMPACT OCCURRED IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE STRIP. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT HAD MADE 2 LOW APPROACHES OVER THE TREES BEFORE THE ACDNT. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT WITH TREES & THE GROUND. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK SHOWED THAT THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.13%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N625SW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N625SW-1989-01-18), registration cancelled 1989-01-18, S/N 187613 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187613
- Airframe hours: 1834
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald E. Church
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: C20

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,410 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19850821042009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850821042009A), Aug 21, 1985: Piper PA18, Gulkana, AK, Destroyed. After making low passes, aircraft flew into trees and impacted ground at high speed. Pilot was intoxicated.

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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