# NTSB ANC88LA131: Piper PA-18, N1759P, Iliamna, AK, September 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1988, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Iliamna, AK
- Location: 59.7568° N, 154.9111° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Iliamna, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.7568&lon=-154.9111&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA131

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A ROUGH AND SOFT OFF-AIRPORT SITE IN RURAL ALASKA. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN LANDING GEAR ENCOUNTERED AN EXCEPTIONALLY SOFT SPOT, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO NOSE OVER. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF HE HAD SELECTED HIS LANDING SITE MORE CAREFULLY, AND HAD STAYED AWAY FROM SUCH SOFT TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1759P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1759P), registered now, S/N 18-4079, built 1954 (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: 18-4079
- Airframe hours: 1480
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brian C. Tuenge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1988, 130 hours before
- Destination: ILL, ILIAMNA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 902 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °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 19880909037999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880909037999A), Sep 9, 1988: Piper PA18150, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Nosed over on takeoff after wheels hit a soft spot on the unimproved landing strip.

## Other investigations on N1759P (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 DEN82DA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA069), Apr 23, 1982: Piper PA-18-150 (N1759P), Hardin, MT, 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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