# NTSB ANC86LA142: Piper PA-18, N9656P, Eureka, AK, September 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1986, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Eureka, AK
- Location: 65.1794° N, 150.2144° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Eureka, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.1794&lon=-150.2144&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA142

## 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
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
- Nose over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT LEFT THE GRAVEL STRIP AND NOSED OVER DUE TO THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER PUSHING ON THE RIGHT REAR RUDDER PEDAL JUST AS THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9656P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9656P), registered now, S/N 18-7409149, built 1974 (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: 18-7409149
- Airframe hours: 892
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert O. Coleman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 10, 1986, 80 hours before
- Departed: EUREKA, AK
- Destination: Z37, EUREKA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 8,275 total, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19860915045359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860915045359A), Sep 15, 1986: Piper PA18150, Eureka, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran off side of runway and nosed over. Passenger inadvertently interfered with the rudder pedal.

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.