# NTSB ANC89LA135: Piper J3C-65, N8726R, Kodiak, AK, August 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1989, 19:30 local (Aug 5, 1989, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Kodiak, AK
- Coordinates: 57.790611, -152.39981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.7906&lon=-152.3998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA135

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO GROUND LOOP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED KODIAK STATE AIRPORT ON A LOCAL FLIGHT TO MILLER FIELD (AN UNMAINTAINED, CLOSED, GRAVEL STRIP). WHILE LANDING IN CALM WIND CONDITIONS, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT GROUND LOOPED, A WING HIT THE GROUND, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8726R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8726R-2025-02-15), registration cancelled 2025-02-15, S/N 17314 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17314
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KODIAK, AK
- Airport: NONE, Miller Field, runway 36, 5,000 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 197 total, 35 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19890804030379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890804030379A), Aug 4, 1989: Piper J3C65, Kodiak, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control and ground looped landing at a closed unmaintained airstrip.

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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