# NTSB ANC88DAG05: Piper PA-18A, N1556P, Mcgrath, AK, July 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1988, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.610706, -154.780563 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6107&lon=-154.7806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4937
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88DAG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4937/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88DAG05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE CRASHED APPROXIMATELY 94 MILES EAST OF THE CITY OF MCGRATH, ALASKA. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE FATALLY INJURED AND THE PIPER PA-18 AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE NEAR THE END OF A BOX CANYON. THERE WERE NO KNOWN WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1556P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1556P-2014-09-05), registration cancelled 2014-09-05, S/N 18-3710, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-3710
- Airframe hours: 2738
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larason, Kenneth G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1988, 70 hours before
- Departed: MCG, MC GRATH, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 125 total, 125 in this make and model, 880 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19880704024689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880704024689A), Jul 4, 1988: Piper PA18, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Aircraft struck the ground in a near vertical attitude. May have stalled trying to climb out of the box canyon.

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.