# NTSB ANC89GA055: Piper PA-18, N7085, Kotzebue, AK, April 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1989, 19:15 local (Apr 4, 1989, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Coordinates: 60.489513, -149.820846 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.4895&lon=-149.8208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5124
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89GA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5124/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89GA055

## Probable cause

THE PILOT CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO IFR CONDITIONS AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE ALTITUDE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING AND THE DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH WERE ENCOUNTERED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight weather advisories - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT, A STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE PROTECTION OFFICER, CONTINUED VFR INTO IFR CONDITIONS THEN LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED THE AIRPLANE WHILE TRYING TO EXECUTE A 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TO VFR CONDITION.  THE CRASH WAS ABOUT TWO HOURS BEFORE SUNSET AND 14 NM FROM HIS HOME BASE FROM WHICH THE PILOT HAD DEPARTED OVER 8 HOURS EARLIER. HIS PVT PILOT CERTIFICATE HAD A LIMITATION PROHIBITING NIGHT FLIGHT.  THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED, & THE PILOT WAS NOT RATED FOR, INSTRUMENT FLIGHT.  ALTHOUGH AVAILABLE AT THE POINT OF DEPARTURE AND ENROUTE, NO WX BRIEFING WAS OBTAINED EITHER PRIOR TO OR DURING THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7085](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7085), registered now, S/N 18-8069, built 1963 (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: 18-8069
- Airframe hours: 8322
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Public use
- Registered owner: State Of Alaska
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: WLK, SELAWIK, AK
- Destination: OTZ, KOTZEBUE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: OTZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,163 total, 880 in this make and model, 1,093 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 28 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 7 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OTZ, 14 nm away

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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