# NTSB ANC86FA071: Piper PA-18, N4418Z, Girdwood, AK, June 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1986, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Girdwood, AK
- Coordinates: 60.899261, -148.909301 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8993&lon=-148.9093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86FA071

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, dual student (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT GAVE THE STUDENT PILOT A FORCED LANDING WHILE ON LEFT BASE TO RUNWAY 19. THE STUDENT CONTINUED THE APPROACH AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET NOTICED THE RATE OF DESCENT INCREASING. THE STUDENT APPLIED FULL POWER BUT THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DESCEND AND IMPACTED A STEEP EMBANKMENT, 212 FEET SHORT OF THE MARKED LANDING THRESHOLD. THE STUDENT STATED HE WAS APPROACHING THE RUNWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR AND HAD NO FLAPS EXTENDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4418Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4418Z), registered now, S/N 18-8753, built 1968 (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: 18-8753
- Airframe hours: 2792
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aces Up Aviation
- Registered owner: C. L. Wiles
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 3, 1986, 45 hours before
- Departed: MRI, MERRILL FIELD, AK
- Airport: AQY, Girdwood, runway 19, 2,100 × 80 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,907 total, 32 in this make and model, 1,747 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19860610023209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860610023209A), Jun 10, 1986: Piper PA18150, Girdwood, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft hit the ground short of the runway due to downdraft. Aircraft STC for oversize tires not logged.

## Other investigations on N4418Z (2)

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 ANC03LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA111), Sep 8, 2003: Piper PA-18-160 (N4418Z), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. A factor associated with the accident was a downdraft.
- [NTSB ANC00LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA051), Apr 29, 2000: Piper PA-18 (N4418Z), Seldovia, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor in the accident was an inadvertent ground swerve.

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.

---
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.