# NTSB ANC89LA172: Piper PA-18-105, N7124K, Port Moller, AK, September 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1989, 19:30 local (Sep 19, 1989, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Moller, AK
- Location: 55.9886° N, 160.5769° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Port Moller, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9886&lon=-160.5769&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA172

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PILOT'S SELF INDUCED PRESSURE AND THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7124K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7124K), registered now, S/N 18-342, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-105
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-342
- Airframe hours: 1810
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Melvin B. Gillis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1989, 50 hours before
- Departed: SANDY LK LODGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 20,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 35 knots, gusting 80
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °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 19890918035849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890918035849A), Sep 18, 1989: Piper PA18105SPEC, Port Moller, AK, Substantial damage. Entered area of severe turbulence to drop survival gear to a boating accident. Unable to overcome downdraft.

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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