# NTSB ANC87LA154: Piper PA-18A, N9350D, Windy Ridge, AK, September 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1987, 07:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Windy Ridge, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4916
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4916/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA154

## 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
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD JUST LIFTED OFF FROM THE GRAVEL BAR HEN HE STALLED THE AIRCRAFT AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9350D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9350D), registered now, S/N 18-6607, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 186607
- Airframe hours: 1361
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry W. Hedgpeth
- Registered owner: Larry M Hedgreth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1986, 55 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,707 total, 1,707 in this make and model, 1,680 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19870916053259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870916053259A), Sep 16, 1987: Piper PA18A150, Windy Ridge, AK, Substantial damage. The right wing dragged on take off. The pilot reported gusty winds, and he delayed flap extention until lift off.

## Other investigations on N9350D (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 ANC76DAH54](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH54), Aug 1, 1976: Piper PA-18 (N9350D), Goghill Lake, AK, destroyed
- [NTSB ANC75DAG12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC75DAG12), Aug 17, 1974: Piper PA-18 (N9350D), Chitina, 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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