# NTSB ANC89LA164: Piper PA-18, N62RT, Stony River, AK, September 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1989, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Stony River, AK
- Coordinates: 61.200054, -158.600067 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2001&lon=-158.6001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA164

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT HIS LANDING AREA WAS PROPERLY CLEAR PRIOR TO LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - other (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE HIT A LARGE ROCK WHILE LANDING ON A GRAVEL BAR, CAUSING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TO COLLAPSE, AND THE LEFT WING TO HIT THE GROUND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT RAIN ON THE WINDSHIELD PREVENTED HIM FROM SEEING THE ROCK IN TIME TO AVOID HITTING IT. HE ALSO STATED THAT SOMEONE HAD SABOTAGED THE LANDING AREA BY PUTTING NUMEROUS ROCKS THERE, TO DISCOURAGE OTHER HUNTERS FROM USING THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62RT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62RT), registered now, S/N 18-7609038 (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: 18-7609038
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rexford L. Turner
- Departed: PALMER, AK
- Airport: Gravel Bar

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,622 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,562 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °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 19890914035439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890914035439A), Sep 14, 1989: Piper PA18150, Stony River, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a large rock and collapsed left gear landing on gravel bar. Rocks placed by unknown hunters to deter others.

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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