# NTSB ANC89LA080: Piper PA-18, Anchorage, AK, May 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Date: May 30, 1989, 05:20 UTC, 21:20 local (the day before locally)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219066, -149.850311 (estimated)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director, May 22, 1990
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA080
- NTSB report (PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5190/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA080

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING A TOUCH AND GO LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND LOOP.

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE RUNWAY, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE CAUSING IT TO GROUND LOOP. THE RIGHT WINGTIP AND AILERON WERE DAMAGED.

## Sequence of events

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - touch-and-go - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N38582 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187629
- Airframe hours: 1337
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airport: MRI, MERRILL, runway 24

## Flight crew

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; medical class 2; hours: 1 24 hours, 1 24 hours in this make and model, 1 30 days, 1 30 days in this make and model, 7 90 days, 2 90 days in this make and model, 142 pic, 58 pic in this make and model, 276 total, 88 total in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility (statute miles): 50
- Lowest ceiling (ft AGL): 5000
- Temperature (°F): 55.4

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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From OpenAirDocs.org, an independent open copy of NTSB and FAA data. The NTSB's own report is the official record of an investigation.