# NTSB ANC88LA102: Piper PA-18, N8580D, Valdez, AK, August 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1988, 19:30 local (Aug 1, 1988, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Valdez, AK
- Coordinates: 61.149047, -146.81015 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1490&lon=-146.8101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA102

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT A REMOTE BEACH SITE TO JOIN A PILOT FRIEND WHO HAD LANDED THERE EARLIER IN HIS OWN AIRPLANE. THE PILOT ON THE BEACH HAD PLACED A SLEEPING BAG AND OTHER ITEMS IN A HOLE ON THE BEACH TO MARK IT AS A LANDING HAZARD. THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE BELIEVED IT TO BE A MARKER SHOWING THE BEST PLACE TO LAND. HE LANDED DIRECTLY ON THE MARKER, HIT THE HOLE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY NOSED-OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8580D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8580D), registered now, S/N 18-6238, built 1958 (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: 18-6238
- Airframe hours: 3375
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Pierson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1988, 150 hours before
- Departed: VDZ, VALDEZ, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °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 19880731029629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880731029629A), Jul 31, 1988: Piper PA18150, Valdez, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a hole and nosed over while landing on a beach. Believed marker for hole to avoid was marker to land there.

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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