# NTSB ANC87LA013: Piper PA-18, N1ZA, Big Lake, AK, November 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1986, 19:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Big Lake, AK
- Location: 61.5347° N, 149.8125° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BIG LAKE (BGQ), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5347&lon=-149.8125&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4806
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4806/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA013

## 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
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT STALLED THE ACFT AT APRX 20 TO 30 FT AGL DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED THE RWY & WENT OFF TO THE SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1ZA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1ZA), registered now, S/N 18-7002, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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: 187002
- Airframe hours: 3953
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1986, 222 hours before
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: BGQ, Big Lake, runway 6, 2,800 × 80 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 57 total, 21 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 7 °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 19861117056119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861117056119A), Nov 17, 1986: Piper PA18A150, Big Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Student pilot lost control of aircraft after takeoff. Aircraft impacted beside runway.

## Other investigations on N1ZA (1)

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 ANC93LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA113), Jul 9, 1993: Piper PA-18 (N1ZA), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR. FACTOR WAS THE SOFT CONDITION OF THE FORCED LANDING AREA.

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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