# NTSB ANC87LA050: Piper PA-18, N135RB, Kotzebue, AK, March 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1987, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Coordinates: 67.240943, -161.189666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2409&lon=-161.1897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA050

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN HIS SKI-EQUIPPED PIPER PA18 AIRPLANE. HE LANDED THE ACFT SUCCESSFULLY, BUT THE RIGHT SKI ATTACHMENT AND LEFT GEAR LEG COLLAPSED ON TAKE OFF FROM THE UNEVEN TERRAIN. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED; THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N135RB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N135RB), registered now, S/N 18-3630 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-135) (registry code 7101822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 183630
- Airframe hours: 3591
- Engines: LYCOMING O-32A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard H. Schimschat
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1986, 890 hours before
- Departed: OTZ, KOTZEBUE, AK
- Destination: WTK, NOATAK, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 45 total, 38 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 10 °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 19870312017829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870312017829A), Mar 12, 1987: Piper STCPA18, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. The student lost control after a ski hit a depression. The aircraft swerved and the landing gear collapsed.

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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