# NTSB ANC89LA087: Piper PA-18-100, N7291K, Knik River, AK, June 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1989, 12:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Knik River, AK
- Location: 61.4619° N, 149.0074° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Knik River, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4619&lon=-149.0074&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA087

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON THE GROUND BY PROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS DURING GUSTING WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND REPORTED THAT DURING BACKTAXI FOR TAKEOFF A GUST OF WIND RAISED THE TAIL AND NOSED THE AIRPLANE OVER ONTO ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7291K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7291K), registered now, S/N 18-203, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-100
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18203
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Castle
- Registered owner: George Pappas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 1989
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 706 total, 341 in this make and model, 626 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °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 19890610015149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890610015149A), Jun 10, 1989: Piper PA18, Knik River, AK, Substantial damage. A gust of wind blew the aircraft over as it was back taxiing on a sandbar.

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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