# NTSB ANC87FA097: Piper PA-18, N54106, Kasilof, AK, July 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1987, 16:45 local (Jul 14, 1987, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Kasilof, AK
- Coordinates: 60.279422, -151.260452 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2794&lon=-151.2605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4778
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87FA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4778/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA097

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT AND HIS NON-PILOT PASSENGER/FATHER WERE FLYING ALONG A SALT WATER BEACH LOOKING FOR SIGNS OF A RECENT OIL SPILL, WHEN THE PILOT SAW A FISHING NET IN THE WATER THAT HE WANTED A CLOSER LOOK AT. HE MADE TWO 180 DEGREE TURNS AT AN ALTITUDE OF 60-80 FEET AGL OVER THE NET. ON THE SECOND TURN HE STALLED THE AIRPLANE AND STRUCK THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54106](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54106-2012-09-20), registration cancelled 2012-09-20, S/N 18-7609042, built 1976 (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: 18-7609042
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Danell S. Ducker
- Registered owner: Flynn, Willard E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KASILOFF, AK
- Destination: KASILOF, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 100 total, 20 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °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 19870713034419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870713034419A), Jul 13, 1987: Piper PA18150, Kasilof, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. In fish spotting business, made low altitude steep turn to view a net. Stalled. Crashed into water. Student license

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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