# NTSB ANC87LA163: Piper PA-18-150, N90947, Talkeetna, AK, September 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1987, 15:18 local (23:18 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.450057, -149.790863 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4501&lon=-149.7909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4925
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4925/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA163

## 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
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AFTER IT NOSED OVER DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, BUT THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE UNINJURED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD LANDED AT AN OFF-AIRPORT SITE TO SET UP HIS MOOSE HUNTING CAMP AND THAT DURING A SUBSEQUENT TAKEOFF ATTEMPT THE MAIN GEAR OF THE AIRPLANE HIT A HOLE AND HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90947](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90947), registered now, S/N 18-8109052, built 1981 (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: 188109050
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward N. Rozmenoski
- Registered owner: Edward N Rozmenoski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1987, 48 hours before
- Departed: AK
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,295 total, 2,295 in this make and model, 2,235 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19870922058979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870922058979A), Sep 22, 1987: Piper PA18150, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft hit a hole in rough terrain on takeoff. The aircraft veered right and nosed over in willow brush.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.