# NTSB ANC87LA119: Piper PA-18, N7561D, Fairbanks, AK, August 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1987, 17:20 local (Aug 11, 1987, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.900772, -148.160797 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.9008&lon=-148.1608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA119

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING A RIGHT TURN ON APPROACH THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND CRASHED INTO THE RIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7561D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7561D), registered now, S/N 18-5838, built 1957 (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 0-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-series) (registry code 41499, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185838
- Airframe hours: 5000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas D. Fouts
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 5,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °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 19870810043949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870810043949A), Aug 10, 1987: Piper STCPA18, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. The float equipped aircraft stalled and impacted the river. Pilot attempted to avoid a canoe in the landing area.

## Other investigations on N7561D (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 ANC73DAA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAA10), Sep 4, 1972: Piper PA-18 (N7561D), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC71DAA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC71DAA10), Aug 16, 1970: Piper PA-18A (N7561D), Nenana, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC66D0003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC66D0003), Jun 5, 1965: Piper PA-18A (N7561D), Yentna River, AK, 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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