# NTSB ANC87LA106: Piper PA-18-150, N7470D, Kenai, AK, July 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1987, 18:00 local (Jul 26, 1987, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.660366, -150.899078 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6604&lon=-150.8991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4879
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4879/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA106

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF IN CROSSWIND CONDITIONS THAT EXCEEDED THE DEMONSTRATED CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE TAKING OFF TO THE NORTH, WITH WINDS OUT OF THE WEST GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS, THE RIGHT WING STALLED AND THE AIRCRAFT SPIRALED TO THE RIGHT, COLLIDING WITH THE SHORE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7470D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7470D), registered now, S/N 18-5801, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- 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: 185801
- Airframe hours: 4722
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Oliver J. Amend
- Registered owner: Oliver Jean Amend
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1987
- Departed: KUSTATAN, AK
- Destination: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,300 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19870725038689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870725038689A), Jul 25, 1987: Piper PA18, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled and crashed during a water takeoff from a river pothole. Misjudged distance and aircraft performance.

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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