# NTSB ANC87LA019: Piper PA-18, N9940D, Shageluk, AK, December 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1986, 12:56 local (16:56 UTC)
- Place: Shageluk, AK
- Coordinates: 62.640262, -159.530487 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.6403&lon=-159.5305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4812/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA019

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - icing conditions (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (cause)
  - weather evaluation - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather forecast - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE ENCOUNTERED FREEZING RAIN AND DUE TO THE BUILD-UP ON THE AIRCRAFT, HE STALLED AND CRASHED IN AN OPEN AREA NEXT TO THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9940D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9940D-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N 18-7012, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187012
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Walker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 21, 1985, 300 hours before
- Departed: 4Z4, HOLY CROSS, AK
- Airport: 1

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 306 total, 306 in this make and model, 295 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 30 °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 19861207068539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861207068539A), Dec 7, 1986: Piper PA18, Shageluk, AK, Substantial damage. Student encountered freezing rain and lost control during landing. No record of weather brief or instructor review.

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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