# NTSB ANC86LA145: Piper PA-18, N287T, Big River, AK, September 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1986, 18:30 local (Sep 9, 1986, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Big River, AK
- Coordinates: 61.079193, -151.160125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0792&lon=-151.1601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (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): 4731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA145

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TOUCH AND GO LANDING TO EVALUATE A QUESTIONABLE LANDING AREA. THE AREA WAS TOO SOFT FOR A TOUCH AND GO. THE ACFT BECAME MIRED IN MOD AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N287T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N287T), registered now, S/N 18-2401, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-2401
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 D1 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas W. Bullard
- Registered owner: Jacklynn K. Turner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1986
- Departed: LHD, LAKE HOOD, AK
- Destination: BIG RIVER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 184 total, 28 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °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 19860908044639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860908044639A), Sep 8, 1986: Piper PA18105SPEC, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft flipped over in a river while attempting a takeoff from a muddy gravel bar.

## Other investigations on N287T (2)

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 ANC69F0005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69F0005), Jul 7, 1968: Piper PA-18 (N287T), Juneau, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC67F0060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC67F0060), Oct 1, 1966: Piper PA-18 (N287T), Juneau, 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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