# NTSB ANC86LA031: Piper PA-18, N1827A, Houston, AK, February 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1986, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Houston, AK
- Coordinates: 61.620735, -149.790481 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6207&lon=-149.7905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4641
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4641/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA031

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS BUZZING THE AREA LESS THAN 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH; THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND NEAR THE ROAD WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWER LINES AND A ROW OF TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1827A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1827A-2011-05-12), registration cancelled 2011-05-12, S/N 18-1678, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 181678
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vincent E. Morrinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1984, 170 hours before
- Departed: BGQ, BIG LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 250 total, 250 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 1 °F, dew point 10 °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 19860223006589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860223006589A), Feb 23, 1986: Piper PA18, Houston, AK, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines and trees while flying at a low altitude. Aircraft out of annual.

## Other investigations on N1827A (4)

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 ANC85LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA072), Apr 24, 1985: Piper PA-18 (N1827A), Beluga, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC85LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA037), Jan 10, 1985: Piper PA-18 (N1827A), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC83FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA070), Apr 17, 1983: Piper PA-18 (N1827A), Chugiak, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC77DAH30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAH30), Sep 14, 1977: Piper PA-18 (N1827A), Sparrevohn, AK, 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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