# NTSB ANC87LA035: Piper PA-18, N102TC, Clear, AK, February 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1987, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Clear, AK
- Coordinates: 64.300361, -149.15036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.3004&lon=-149.1504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4820
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4820/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA035

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,ski assembly - jammed (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE SKI EQUIPPED AIRPLANE STATED HE TAXIED TOO FAST AFTER LANDING AND DAMAGED THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE RIGHT SKI TOED INTO A LARGE SNOW DRIFT ON ROUGH SURFACE ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N102TC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N102TC), registered now, S/N 18-7909038 (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: 7909038
- Airframe hours: 570
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mike T. Vivion
- Registered owner: Michael T Vivion
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1986, 20 hours before
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CLF, Clear

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,659 total, 1,074 in this make and model, 2,551 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °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 19870207003979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870207003979A), Feb 7, 1987: Piper PA18150, Clear, AK, Substantial damage. Ski equipped aircraft hit a snowdrift while taxiing on a frozen lake. Side loading damaged the gear.

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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