# NTSB ANC85LAA02: Piper PA-18, N3839Z, Fairbanks, AK, September 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1985, 19:00 local (Sep 5, 1985, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.810585, -147.720153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8106&lon=-147.7202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (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): 4575
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LAA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4575/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LAA02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - weather evaluation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LOSS PASS OVER A GRAVEL AREA, HE EXPERIENCED VIOLENT SINKING DUE TO WIND SHEAR. THE PLT REPORTED THE WINDS WERE FROM 240 DEGS AT 25 KTS GUSTING TO 35 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3839Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3839Z), registered now, S/N 18-7593, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187593
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Len Mackler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1985
- Departed: FBK, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 295 total, 192 in this make and model, 237 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19850904045859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850904045859A), Sep 4, 1985: Piper PA18A150, Fairbanks, AK, Destroyed. Violent sinking during low slow pass. Pilot attempted a skid turn and wing struck ground.

## Other investigations on N3839Z (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 SEA67F0148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67F0148), Jul 15, 1966: Piper PA-18 (N3839Z), Molt, MT, 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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