# NTSB ANC89LA162: Piper PA-18, N3680Z, Trading Bay, AK, September 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1989, 16:00 local (Sep 12, 1989, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Trading Bay, AK
- 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): 5257
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5257/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA162

## Probable cause

THE PILOT SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR HIS INTENDED LANDING AREA.  WET TERRAIN/HYDROPLANING CONDITIONS IN THE INITIAL TOUCHDOWN AREA AND AN OBJECT (STUMP) CONTRIBUTED TO THE OCCURRENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted
  - object - other (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - go-around - discontinued

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE & THE PASSENGER FLEW TO TRADING BAY TO DUCK HUNT. HE INTENDED TO LAND ON A GRASSY FLAT WHERE HE HAD PREVIOUSLY LANDED. THERE HAD BEEN HEAVY RAIN IN THE AREA BEFORE HE ARRIVED & ONE TO TWO INCHES OF STANDING WATER WAS ON THE LANDING AREA. DRG THE LANDING, HIS BRAKES WERE NOT EFFECTIVE, SO HE ELECTED TO GO AROUND. HE RPRTD THAT AS THE ACFT WAS LIFTING OFF TO GO AROUND, IT HIT A STUMP, BUT CONTINUED FLYING. HE HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE ACFT, SO HE DISCONTINUED THE GO-AROUND & LANDED ON TIDAL FLATS WHERE THE ACFT WAS FURTHER DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3680Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3680Z), registered now, S/N 18-7409, built 1960 (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: 187409
- Airframe hours: 3702
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Driskell
- Registered owner: Driskell Aircraft Corp.
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 301 total, 124 in this make and model, 253 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890911034409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890911034409A), Sep 11, 1989: Piper PA18150, Trading Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Tail wheel struck a log on takeoff causing substantial damage to elevator and fuselage.

## Other investigations on N3680Z (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 ANC94LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA005), Oct 3, 1993: Piper PA-18-180 (N3680Z), Pilot Point, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND DURING TAXI. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.

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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