# NTSB ANC86LA036: Piper PA-18, N3935Z, Kotzebue, AK, March 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1986, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Coordinates: 67.240577, -161.190612 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2406&lon=-161.1906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (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): 4643
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4643/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA036

## Sequence of events

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

- Undetermined, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT ON LANDING AT A WINTER ICE LANDING STRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3935Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3935Z-2017-03-10), registration cancelled 2017-03-10, S/N 18-7781, built 1962 (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: 187781
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raymond L. Lang
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 36 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 5 °F, dew point 10 °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 19860320007059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860320007059A), Mar 20, 1986: Piper PA18150, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. Crashed on landing. Details are unknown as pilot has not contacted FAA or NTSB. State troopers unable to locate him

## Other investigations on N3935Z (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 ANC00FA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00FA052), May 1, 2000: Piper PA-18 (N3935Z), Kotzebue, AK, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were weather…

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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