# NTSB ANC88FA045: Piper PA-18-150, N4177Z, Palmer, AK, April 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1988, 15:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.620101, -148.979614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6201&lon=-148.9796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88FA045

## 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
  - maneuver - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS A CERTIFICATED AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT MECHANIC WHO WAS WORKING ON THE AIRPLANE. THE OWNER STATED THAT THE MECHANIC WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT'S BROTHER STATED HE HAD JUST DISEMBARKED FROM THE AIRPLANE AFTER A SHORT FLIGHT. HE WATCHED THE TAKEOFF AND SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF ABRUPTLY AND ALMOST STRUCK A METAL MARKING STAKE. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED BRIEFLY, THEN ENTERED A STEEP RIGHT BANK THEN THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE FELL AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4177Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4177Z), registered now, S/N 18-8355, built 1966 (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: 18-8355
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edwin P Depriest, doing business as 430 N. Gulkana
- Registered owner: Steve M. Norton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Farm Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 280 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAQ

## 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 19880417009319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880417009319A), Apr 17, 1988: Piper PA18150, Palmer, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pulled aircraft off the ground prematurely to avoid a metal stake. Continued nose high climb. Stalled and crashed.

## Other investigations on N4177Z (1)

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 ANC77DAA11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAA11), Feb 26, 1977: Piper PA-18 (N4177Z), Bettles, 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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