# NTSB ANC89LA142: Piper PA-18, N83622, Red Lake, AK, August 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1989, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Red Lake, AK
- 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): 5241
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5241/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA142

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

WHILE HUNTING SHEEP, THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON A MOUNTAIN RIDGE. THE TERRAIN WAS ROUGH WITH TUNDRA & ROCKS. DURING THE LANDING, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR WENT IN A HOLE & WAS BENT, ALLOWING THE NOSE TO DROP & THE RIGHT WING TO HIT THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83622](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83622), registered now, S/N 18-7709104, built 1977 (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: 18-7709104
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Williams, Jay K.
- Registered owner: William, Jay K
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: YOUR CREEK, AK
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 611 total, 273 in this make and model, 591 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °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 19890813030179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890813030179A), Aug 13, 1989: Piper PA18150, Red Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on a remote off airport mountain ridge while sheep hunting. Right gear fell into hole damaging prop and gear

## Other investigations on N83622 (1)

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 ANC95LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA061), May 29, 1995: Piper PA-18-150 (N83622), Galena, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE WATER CONTAMINATING THE FUEL AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT WHICH FAILED TO ELIMINATE THE WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM.

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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