# NTSB ANC87LA134: Piper PA-18, N7233K, Kwethluk, AK, September 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1987, 13:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Kwethluk, AK
- Coordinates: 60.790054, -161.419326 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7901&lon=-161.4193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4901/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA134

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS FLYING A SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION FOR A MISSING AIRCRAFT WHEN HE NOTICED THAT HIS AIRSPEED INDICATOR WAS NOT WORKING. HE LANDED ON A LAKE IN GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DURING THE ENSUING TAKEOFF ATTEMPT, A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE LEFT WING AND THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE WATER, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO NOSE OVER. PILOT STATED HE WOULD NOT HAVE FLOWN IN WIND CONDITIONS EXCEPT THAT THE MISSION WAS TO HELP SEARCH FOR FELLOW PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7233K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7233K), registered now, S/N 18-125, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-125
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Everett F Prince
- Registered owner: Everett F. Prince
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 15, 1987
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 479 total, 479 in this make and model, 418 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 15 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °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 19870902060389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870902060389A), Sep 2, 1987: Piper PA18, Kwethluk, AK, Substantial damage. The float equipped aircraft nosed over during a lake takeoff. Gusty winds caused right wing to drag in the water.

## Other investigations on N7233K (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 IAD79DA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79DA084), Sep 18, 1979: Piper PA-18 (N7233K), Stevensville, MD, 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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