# NTSB ANC89LA177: Piper PA-18, N7513K, Iliamna, AK, September 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1989, 11:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Iliamna, AK
- Coordinates: 59.850353, -154.559326 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8504&lon=-154.5593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA177

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIMSELF AND THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE STRONG/GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - from landing
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE EXPERIENCED COMMERCIAL PILOT HAD JUST LANDED AT A REMOTE GRAVEL AIRSTRIP WITH STRONG, GUSTY WINDS. FOLLOWING THE LANDING ROLL, HE ATTEMPTED TO TAXI CROSSWIND IN THE 35 TO 40 KNOT WIND. HE SAID THAT A STRONG GUST LIFTED A WING, THEN PUSHED & PARTIALLY OVERTURNED THE AIRPLANE INTO NEARBY TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7513K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7513K), registered now, S/N 18-225, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-225
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald E. Knighton
- Departed: ILI, ILIAMNA, AK
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 7,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 35 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °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 19890930040699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890930040699A), Sep 30, 1989: Piper PA18, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Blown over into trees after turning off runway in severe crosswind.

## Other investigations on N7513K (2)

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 FTW94LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA312), Sep 25, 1994: Piper PA-18-160 (N7513K), Galena, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE USE OF BRAKES DURING LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WINDS AT THE REMOTE LANDING AREA.
- [NTSB ANC81DAG89](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG89), Aug 31, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N7513K), Homer, AK, 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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