# NTSB ANC87LA055: Piper PA-18, N1472C, Girdwood, AK, March 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1987, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Girdwood, AK
- Coordinates: 60.900177, -148.910156 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.9002&lon=-148.9102&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 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA055

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAXI FOR TAKEOFF HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO EXIT THE TAXIWAY AND STRIKE A SNOWBANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1472C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182675
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary R. Jokela
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AQY, GIRDWOOD, AK
- Destination: AQY, GIRDWOOD, AK
- Airport: AQY, Girdwood, runway 02, 2,088 × 73 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: front; flight hours: 300 total, 300 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 19 °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 19870318008799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870318008799A), Mar 18, 1987: Piper PA18135, Girdwood, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck a snowbank during taxi for takeoff. The pilot stated he lost directional control.

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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