# NTSB ANC88LA108: Piper PA-18, N8066C, Chandalar River, AK, August 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1988, 16:30 local (Aug 9, 1988, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Chandalar River, AK
- 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): 5050
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5050/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA108

## 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
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE GRAVEL BAR ALONG THE SIDE OF THE RIVER, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8066C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8066C), registered now, S/N 18-3417 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-135) (registry code 7101822) (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: 183417
- Airframe hours: 4600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Keith C. Koontz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1988, 110 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,450 in this make and model, 1,450 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880808036429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880808036429A), Aug 8, 1988: Piper PA18A135, Chandalar River, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated a wind gust blew aircraft up on a wing landing on a gravel bar lost control. Aircraft nosed over.

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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