# NTSB ANC89LA004: Piper J3C-65, N98109, Eureka Lodge, AK, October 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1988, 19:30 local (Oct 3, 1988, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Eureka Lodge, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (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): 5135
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5135/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA004

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT DUSK ON A SNOW COVERED, UNLIGHTED PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. HE STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND AS CLOSE TO THE LANDING THRESHOLD AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID A LARGE BUMP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RUNWAY. HE MISJUDGED HIS APPROACH AND LANDED APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY IN HEAVY BRUSH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98109](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98109), registered now, S/N 18268 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18268
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-M 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gregory A. Manelick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1988, 90 hours before
- Airport: Eureka, runway 3, 1,500 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 194 total, 61 in this make and model, 103 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °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 19881002047079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881002047079A), Oct 2, 1988: Piper STCJ3, Eureka Lodge, AK, Substantial damage. Landed short of the unlighted gravel strip near dusk.

## Other investigations on N98109 (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 ANC21LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA047), Jun 28, 2021: Piper J3C-65 (N98109), Sterling, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.