# NTSB ANC87LA103: Piper PA-18, N9131D, Palmer, AK, July 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1987, 20:45 local (Jul 20, 1987, 04:45 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.620361, -148.97908 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6204&lon=-148.9791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4876
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4876/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA103

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER SEVERAL PASSES OVR THE AIRSTRIP THE PLT SET UP TO LND ON THE 600 FT LONG DIRT RWY LOCATED ON A MTN RIDGE. HE STATED THAT ON FINAL HE LOST SIGHT OF THE STRIP AND ELECTED NOT TO LAND. THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9131D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9131D), registered now, S/N 18-6512, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-6512
- Airframe hours: 1839
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph Charles Lo Monaco
- Registered owner: Earl J. Hiett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1986, 78 hours before
- Departed: Z41, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: FRIDAY CREEK, AK
- Airport: Friday Creek

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,750 total, 620 in this make and model, 1,625 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19870719038809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870719038809A), Jul 19, 1987: Piper PA18A, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft impacted rising terrain during go around. The pilot misjudged the approach and came in too low.

## Other investigations on N9131D (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 FTW71FPG54](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71FPG54), May 13, 1971: Piper PA-18 (N9131D), Dewitt, AR, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.