# NTSB ANC89LA173: Piper PA-18, N2460A, Near Talkeetna, AK, September 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1989, 17:00 local (Sep 22, 1989, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Near Talkeetna, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5268
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5268/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA173

## Probable cause

THE PASSENGER'S INADVERTENT INTERFERENCE WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL, AND LACK OF APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - aborted

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2460A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-1945
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wayne Kubat
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1989, 197 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,625 total, 1,525 in this make and model, 1,551 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °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 19890921036029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890921036029A), Sep 21, 1989: Piper PA18, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Engine went to idle on climbout from undeveloped strip. Crashed into trees. Passenger may have bumped throttle.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.