# NTSB ANC86LA024: Piper PA-18, N4431Z, Wasilla, AK, February 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1986, 10:22 local (14:22 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (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): 4635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4635/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA024

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE TAXIING, INADVERTENTLY TOOK OFF IN GUSTY WIND AND CRASHED INTO ADJACENT TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4431Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4431Z), registered now, S/N 188769 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-1769
- Airframe hours: 1534
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kimmeth Jack Irwin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1985, 45 hours before
- Departed: 99Z, WASILLA, AK
- Destination: PALMER, AK
- Airport: 99Z, Finger Lake Spb

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 408 total, 408 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °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 19860207002399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860207002399A), Feb 7, 1986: Piper PA18150, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Ski equipped aircraft inadvertently became airborne while taxiing on water covered ice. Lost control and hit trees.

## Other investigations on N4431Z (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 ANC90LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA093), Jun 22, 1990: Piper PA-18-160 (N4431Z), Big Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS RESULTING IN AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN A DITCH.

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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