# NTSB ANC88LA097: Piper PA-18, N8653Y, Anchorage, AK, July 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1988, 11:03 local (19:03 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.160858, -149.990386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1609&lon=-149.9904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA097

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE UNINJURED WHEN THEIR PIPER PA-18 (SUPER CUB) GROUND-LOOPED WHILE LANDING AT ANCHORAGE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, ANCHORAGE, AK. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE 'GRABBED' WHEN IT TOUCHED THE PAVED RUNWAY SURFACE, AND THE AIRPLANE TURNED ABRUPTLY TO THE RIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE COULD HAVE AVOIDED THE RESULTING GROUND-LOOP IF HE HAD APPLIED THE LEFT BRAKE SOONER. THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH OVER-SIZED 30' TIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8653Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8653Y), registered now, S/N 18-7309024 (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: 18 7309024
- Airframe hours: 1378
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hulbert, Ward A.
- Registered owner: Johnson, Leslie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1988, 24 hours before
- Departed: PAQ, PALMER, AK
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: ANC, Anchorage, runway 14, 10,496 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,596 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,555 as pilot in command, 78 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Observed at: ANC

## 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 19880727028229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880727028229A), Jul 27, 1988: Piper PA18150, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Ground looped after landing. Has over size tires which are difficult to control on a hard surface.

## Other investigations on N8653Y (4)

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 ANC04LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA095), Aug 13, 2004: Piper PA-18-150 (N8653Y), Soldotna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent.
- [NTSB ANC94LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA138), Sep 13, 1994: Piper PA-18 (N8653Y), Kodiak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. A CROSSWIND AND ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
- [NTSB ANC83LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA027), Dec 25, 1982: Piper PA-18-150 (N8653Y), Hope, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC82DAG31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG31), Jun 12, 1982: Piper PA-18 (N8653Y), Anchorage, 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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