# NTSB ANC89LA158: Piper PA-18-150, N4482E, Trading Bay, AK, September 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1989, 19:30 local (Sep 1, 1989, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Trading Bay, AK
- Coordinates: 61.079158, -151.159027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0792&lon=-151.1590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5254
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5254/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA158

## Probable cause

SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN (LANDING AREA) BY THE PILOT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: IMPROPER INFORMATION PROVIDED BY OTHER PERSONNEL AND A HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION (LOG) IN TALL VEGETATION (GRASS).

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - information - improper, other person (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT & A FRIEND WERE ON A FLT TO AN OFF-ARPT LOCATION TO HUNT DUCKS. AFTER ARRIVING, ANOTHER ACFT WAS PARKED IN THEIR USUAL LANDING AREA, OBSTRUCTING ITS USE. PERSONNEL OF A 3RD ACFT (FLOAT PLANE) RECOMMENDED AN ALTERNATE LOCATION FOR LANDING. THIS WAS A GRASS COVERED MUD FLAT, WHICH THE PLT OF N4482E ELECTED TO USE. HOWEVER, DRG THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE ACFT HIT A LOG AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 35 YARDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4482E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4482E), registered now, S/N 18-8109025, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- 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: 18-8109025
- Airframe hours: 475
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 1, 1989, 22 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19890831033669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890831033669A), Aug 31, 1989: Piper PA18150, Trading Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Landed in grassy area on a mud flat to go fishing. Struck a hidden log and aircraft flipped inverted.

## Other investigations on N4482E (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 ANC86LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA046), Apr 15, 1986: Piper PA-18-150 (N4482E), Big Lake, 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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