# NTSB ANC89LA150: Piper PA-18A, N3877P, Copper Center, AK, August 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1989, 17:00 local (Aug 18, 1989, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Copper Center, AK
- Coordinates: 61.680675, -145.140777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6807&lon=-145.1408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5247/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA150

## Probable cause

THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING BY THE PILOT. HE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHEN HE IMPROPERLY APPLIED HARD BRAKING DURING A WHEEL LANDING.

## 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
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING ROLL OUT THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A WHEEL LANDING WAS MADE ON ROUGH TERRAIN. HARD BRAKING WAS USED WHICH RESULTED IN THE PROPELLER GOUGING INTO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. THE LANDING WAS MADE ON ROUGH OFF-AIRPORT TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3877P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3877P), registered now, S/N 18-4703, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 184703
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Gillis, Mel
- Registered owner: Mel Gillis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,847 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °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 19890817035429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890817035429A), Aug 17, 1989: Piper PA18A150, Copper Center, AK, Substantial damage. Bounced on a wheel landing lost control came down on propeller and aircraft nosed over.

## Other investigations on N3877P (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 ANC92LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA035), Feb 13, 1992: Piper PA-18A-150 (N3877P), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF THE FUEL CONSUMPTION OF THE AIRPLANE; THEREBY EXHAUSTING THE FUEL SUPPLY PREMATURELY. FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF A SUITABLE FORCED LANDING AREA.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.