# NTSB ANC87LA142: Piper PA-18, N4191Z, Mcgrath, AK, September 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1987, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.609184, -154.780212 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6092&lon=-154.7802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4906
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4906/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA142

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A LOCAL HUNTING GUIDE CRASHED HIS AIRPLANE IN A REMOTE MOUNTAIN PASS IN CENTRAL ALASKA. ANOTHER GUIDE WHO OVERFLEW THE CRASH SITE SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT SAW THE AIRPLANE BURNING, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LAND DUE TO STRONG WINDS, SEVERE TURBULENCE AND STRONG DOWNDRAFTS. THE PRIVATE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF THE CRASHED AIRPLANE WAS KILLED AND THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED. EARLIER CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE PIC AND A STATE TROOPER REVEALED THAT THE FORMER LIKED TO FLY LOW TO THE GROUND DURING HUNTING SEASON IN ORDER TO KEEP FROM DISTURBING SHEEP ON THE MOUNTAIN SIDES. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AT THE ACCD SITE INDICATED THAT A WINGTIP INITIALLY STRUCK THE GROUND FOLLOWED BY THE ACFT CARTWHEELING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4191Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4191Z-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 18-8376, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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: 8613
- Airframe hours: 2291
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clark L. Engle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1987, 97 hours before
- Departed: PURKEYPILE MINE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 40 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken

## 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 19870905069959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870905069959A), Sep 5, 1987: Piper PA18150, Mcgrath, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft cartwheeled and burned. Suspect pilot was flying at low altitude and turbulence caused loss of control

## Other investigations on N4191Z (2)

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 DEN81FTK22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FTK22), Aug 16, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N4191Z), Stratford, SD, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW69D0098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69D0098), Jul 13, 1968: Piper PA-18 (N4191Z), Gulfport, MS, 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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