# NTSB ANC88FA011: Piper PA-18, N4193Z, Homer, AK, October 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1987, 09:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Homer, AK
- Coordinates: 59.399227, -151.320236 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3992&lon=-151.3202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4940
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88FA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4940/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88FA011

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE WEATHER BETWEEN HOMER AND ANCHORAGE INCLUDED MARGINAL CONDITIONS ALONG SEGMENTS OF THE ROUTE. THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT RATED PILOT WAS ENCOURAGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AN OFFER TO TRAVEL BY AUTOMOBILE AND STILL ARRIVE IN TIME FOR A COMMITMENT IN ANCHORAGE. HE DECLINED AND DEPARTED HOMER WITH HIS WIFE AND INFANT CHILD IN HIS AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ABOUT 17 MILES FROM THE VOR. THE WX AT THE SCENE WAS REPORTED BY PLTS ALERTED TO THE ACC BY THE ELT. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED A SPIN TYPE MANEUVER WITH MINIMAL ROTATION AT IMPACT. NO PRE-IMPACT DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED. THERE WAS FUEL IN THE RT TANK AND THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THIS TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4193Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4193Z-2017-07-18), registration cancelled 2017-07-18, S/N 18-8380, 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: 188380
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James W. Landes
- Registered owner: James Wesley Landes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HOM, HOMER, AK
- Destination: Z41, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: HUM, Homer

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,550 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 70° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOM, 17 nm away

## 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 19871018059859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871018059859A), Oct 18, 1987: Piper PA18150, Homer, AK, Substantial damage, 3 fatal. Spun into tundra. No witnesses. Marginal VFR weather. Rain and icing. Failed to use shoulder harness,lap belt loose

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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