# NTSB ANC89LA169: Piper PA-18, N7577D, Anchorage, AK, September 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1989, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Location: 61.1866° N, 149.9654° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAKE HOOD (LHD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1866&lon=-149.9654&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5264
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5264/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA169

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT DUE TO HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION. THE VEHICLES (TRACTOR & TRUCK) WERE CONSIDERED TO BE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7577D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7577D), registered now, S/N 18-5864, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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: 18-5864
- Airframe hours: 4326
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eugene E. Connick, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1989
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LHD, Lake Hood Strip, runway 31, 2,200 × 80 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 510 total, 220 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19890920039529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890920039529A), Sep 20, 1989: Piper PA18A150, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Distracted by construction activity on taxiway. Saw gravel truck too late and slid into it causing aircraft 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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