# NTSB ANC86LAG03: Piper PA-18A-150, N3992P, Homer, AK, October 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1985, 06:57 local (14:57 UTC)
- Place: Homer, AK
- Coordinates: 59.399871, -151.319107 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3999&lon=-151.3191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (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): 4754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LAG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4754/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LAG03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,axle - failure,total (cause)
  - flight manuals - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,axle - fatigue (cause)
  - landing gear,tire - improper (cause)
  - landing gear,tire - incorrect (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE LANDING GEAR AXLE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE OVERSIZE TIRES THAT WERE INSTALLED ON THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3992P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3992P), registered now, S/N 18-4752, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-4752
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John R. Edwards
- Registered owner: Eugene W. Valaer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1985
- Departed: HOM, HOMER, AK
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: HOM, Homer, runway 3, 7,401 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 487 total, 8 in this make and model, 360 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19851003053739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851003053739A), Oct 3, 1985: Piper PA18A150, Homer, AK, Substantial damage. Left landing gear axle broke during takeoff roll due to use of unapproved oversized tires. Bent fuselage. Wing tip.

## Other investigations on N3992P (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 SEA99LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA130), Jul 25, 1999: Piper PA-18A-150 (N3992P), Jordan Valley, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush of the aircraft while attempting a forced landing due to partial power loss of the engine. Factors include carburetor icing conditions and the pilot's improper use…
- [NTSB SEA94LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA170), Jun 27, 1994: Piper PA-18-150 (N3992P), Prineville, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS.

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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