# NTSB ANC89LA046: Piper PA-18, N1243A, Sulatna River, AK, February 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1989, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Sulatna River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5168
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5168/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA046

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall/mush - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA NEXT TO A FROZEN RIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1243A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 181036
- Airframe hours: 200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rick Young
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 1988, 150 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 10,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point 10 °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 19890222002439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890222002439A), Feb 22, 1989: Piper PA18125, Sulatna River, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled into trees trying to land a ski equipped aircraft on a frozen River.

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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