# NTSB ANC87LA109: Piper PA-18-150, N6978B, Levelock, AK, July 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1987, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Levelock, AK
- Coordinates: 59.290794, -156.650772 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2908&lon=-156.6508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4881
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4881/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA109

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - airport operations - uncontrolled
  - planning/decision - improper, driver of vehicle (cause)

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-18 AIRPLANE WAS COMPLETING HIS LANDING ROLL AT THE UNATTENDED AIRPORT, THREE CHILDREN, RIDING AN ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV), PULLED ONTO THE RUNWAY AND WERE STRUCK BY THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ACFT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE VEHICLE BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP BEFORE COLLIDING WITH IT. TRACKS ALONGSIDE THE RUNWAYS INDICATED THEY WERE USED BY VARIOUS VEHICLES AS A MATTER OF CONVENIENCE. THESE TRACKS WERE NOT LEVEL OR STRAIGHT AND MANY INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLES MAKING THEM FREQUENTLY PULLED UP ONTO THE RUNWAYS WHICH WERE SMOOTH SURFACED. THERE WERE NUMEROUS AREAS OUTSIDE THE RUNWAY EDGES WHERE AN INDIVIDUALS VIEW OF THE RUNWAY WOULD BE OBSTRUCTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6978B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6978B), registered now, S/N 18-5100 (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: 185100
- Airframe hours: 3572
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jerold Lee Vantrease
- Registered owner: Jack Clifton Vantrease
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1987, 20 hours before
- Departed: 5NK, NAKNEK, AK
- Destination: 1L1, ILIAMNA, AK
- Airport: KLL, Levelock, runway 29, 1,915 × 65 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 0 ft
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -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 19870726043819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870726043819A), Jul 26, 1987: Piper PA18150, Levelock, AK, Substantial damage. An all purpose vehicle with 3 children on board darted into the side of the landing aircraft. Need safety fences.

## Other investigations on N6978B (3)

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 ANC03LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA117), Sep 17, 2003: Piper PA-18 (N6978B), Ninilchick, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in a collision with terrain during an approach to landing on a ridgeline. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's…
- [NTSB LAX66A0062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66A0062), Feb 7, 1966: Piper PA-18 (N6978B), Empire, NV, destroyed, 1 fatal
- [NTSB OAK66D0139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66D0139), Oct 30, 1965: Piper PA-18 (N6978B), Eagleville, CA, 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.

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