# NTSB ANC89LA166: Piper PA-18, N339T, Circle City, AK, September 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1989, 18:00 local (Sep 11, 1989, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Circle City, AK
- 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): 5261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA166

## Probable cause

PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N339T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N339T), registered now, S/N 18-2453, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18 105](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105) (registry code 7101809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-2453
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ingo Brigmann
- Departed: K03, CIRCLE CITY, AK
- Airport: Gravel Bar

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 114 total, 40 in this make and model, 43 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19890910035379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890910035379A), Sep 10, 1989: Piper PA18, Circle City, AK, Substantial damage. Ground looped while landing on a gravel bar.

## Other investigations on N339T (4)

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 ANC03LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA041), Apr 14, 2003: Piper PA-18 (N339T), Cantwell, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area in deep snow, which resulted in the nose over of the airplane on touchdown. A factor associated with the accident was a snow-covered airstrip.
- [NTSB ANC97LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA118), Aug 9, 1997: Piper PA-18 (N339T), Circle, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot, and his selection of a landing area with high vegetation in the landing path. Factors which contributed to the accident were fatigue and the high…
- [NTSB ANC95LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA128), Aug 4, 1995: Piper PA-18 (N339T), Circle, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF DURING TAKEOFF.
- [NTSB CHI66F0076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66F0076), Jun 19, 1965: Piper PA-18 (N339T), Warsaw, IN, 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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