# NTSB ANC89LA096: Piper PA-18, N5087Y, Rainbow Lake, AK, June 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1989, 17:00 local (Jun 19, 1989, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Rainbow Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5201
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5201/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA096

## Probable cause

PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED (ANGLE OF ATTACK) THAT WOULD PRECLUDE A STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE RETURNING FROM A LOCAL FISHING TRIP AND HAD JUST TAKEN OFF FROM A SAND BAR NEAR THEIR FISHING SITE. SHORTLY AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE PILOT SAID THAT THE 'WIND STALLED THE RIGHT WING'. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER PRIOR TO CRASHING INTO A LAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5087Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5087Y), registered now, S/N 18-7894, built 1962 (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: 18-7894
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Beck, Ronald E.
- Registered owner: Beck, Ronald E
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1988, 50 hours before
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890619016289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890619016289A), Jun 19, 1989: Piper PA18150, Rainbow Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Reported windshear on climbout on takeoff from a sandbar. A wing stalled and aircraft crashed into the lake.

## Other investigations on N5087Y (4)

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 ANC84LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA021), Dec 1, 1983: Piper PA-18 (N5087Y), Delta Junction, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC81DAA25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAA25), Aug 16, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N5087Y), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC79DAA34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DAA34), Sep 5, 1979: Piper PA-18 (N5087Y), Eielson Afb, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC77DAH05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAH05-145089), Sep 5, 1977: Piper PA-18 (N5087Y), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage

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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