# NTSB ANC86LA134: Piper PA-18, N2994Z, Nabesna, AK, August 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1986, 06:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Nabesna, AK
- Location: 62.3719° N, 143.0086° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nabesna, AK, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.3719&lon=-143.0086&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): 4721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA134

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (cause)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT THE PILOT STALLED THE AIRCRAFT, LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED OFF THE DEPARTED END OF THE AIRSTRIP. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH A TAILWIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2994Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2994Z), registered now, S/N 18-7113, built 1959 (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: 187113
- Airframe hours: 5252
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Raymond W. Kirkbride
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1986, 23 hours before
- Departed: DEVILS MOUNTAIN, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 258 total, 258 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: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 16,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 3 °F, dew point 34 °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 19860823041889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860823041889A), Aug 23, 1986: Piper PA18150, Nabesna, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled during initial climb and impacted the ground. Reported windshear during a downwind takeoff from gravel bar.

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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