# NTSB ANC87LA167: Piper PA-18, N4471A, Beluga Lake, AK, September 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1987, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Beluga Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (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): 4928
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4928/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA167

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS MANEUVERING 20 FEET ABOVE THE TREE TOPS WHEN A GUST OF WIND MADE HIM LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO STRIKE THE TREES AND HILLSIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4471A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4471A-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N 18-4826, built 1956 (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: 184826
- Airframe hours: 1660
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brian Philip Pulaski
- Registered owner: Brain Philip Pulaski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1987, 20 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 500 total, 310 in this make and model, 460 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °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 19870926056519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870926056519A), Sep 26, 1987: Piper PA18150, Beluga Lake, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft hit trees while inspecting a landing site. The pilot reported a downdraft while flying at a low level.

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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