# NTSB ANC87FA115: Piper PA-18A, Coldfoot, AK, August 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Date: August 6, 1987, 01:35 UTC, 17:35 local (the day before locally)
- Place: Coldfoot, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809867, -147.719055 (estimated)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director, April 24, 1989
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4783
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87FA115
- NTSB report (PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4783/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA115

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO FLY THROUGH ATIGUN PASS EARLIER IN THE DAY. EVEN THOUGH THE PASS WAS CLOSED DUE TO FOG AND CLOUD COVER, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO FLY THROUGH THE PASS A SECOND TIME. THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS LOCATEDIN ATIGUN PASS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER GROSS WEIGHT AND EXCEEDED THE REAR CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMIT. THE PILOT WAS NOT WEARING REQUIRED CORRECTIVE LENSES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT HAD BEEN ADVISED BY MEDICAL PERSONNEL THAT HE HAD ARTERIAL DISEASE AND OPEN HEART SURGERY WAS RECOMMENDED. THE PILOT DID NOT PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION TO THE AME WHEN OBTAINING HIS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.

## Sequence of events

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - physical impairment(other cardiovascular), pilot in command
  - correcting lenses, not worn, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7479D, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7479D-1991-05-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Registry model: Piper PA-18-150 (registry code 7101828, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5814
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: JESS M. WASSOM
- Departed: PPC, PROSPECT CREEK, AK
- Destination: HULA HULA RIVER, AK
- Airport: runway 0

## Flight crew

- Pilot; age 52; private; medical class 3; hours: 1,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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From OpenAirDocs.org, an independent open copy of NTSB and FAA data. The NTSB's own report is the official record of an investigation.