# NTSB ANC89LA012: Piper PA-18, N7688L, Huslia, AK, October 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1988, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Huslia, AK
- Coordinates: 65.691001, -156.35083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.6910&lon=-156.3508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA012

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS ADULT MALE PASSENGER WERE BOTH SEVERELY BURNED WHEN THE PILOT'S PIPER PA-18 CRASHED AND BURNED FOLLOWING A LOW ALTITUDE STALL AND IMPACT WITH TREES. THE PILOT'S WIFE STATED THAT HER HUSBAND TOLD HER THAT HE WAS SHOWING HIS PASSENGER A BEAR DEN WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND CRASHED. HE SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT INJURED ON IMPACT, BUT DURING THE POST CRASH FIRE AND ESCAPE. DESPITE THEIR SERIOUS BURNS, THEY WALKED 5 MILES IN 0 DEGREE TEMPERATURE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7688L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7688L), registered now, S/N 187409122 (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: 7409122
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Huntington, Roger
- Registered owner: Huntington, Roger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19881023047789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881023047789A), Oct 23, 1988: Piper PA18150, Huslia, AK, Substantial damage. Descended too low to view a bear den. Stalled into trees on attempted climbout. Aircraft burned on ground impact.

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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