# NTSB ANC89LA180: Piper PA-18, N4579A, Windy Fork, AK, October 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1989, 19:00 local (Oct 1, 1989, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Windy Fork, AK
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5275
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5275/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA180

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4579A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4579A), registered now, S/N 18-4885, built 1956 (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: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-4885
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sheehan, Duane W.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: MRI
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19890930039939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890930039939A), Sep 30, 1989: Piper PA18, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. Hand propped engine. Aircraft not chocked or tied,accelerated off the unimproved strip. Pilot unable catch aircraft

## Other investigations on N4579A (1)

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 ANC72DAG56](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC72DAG56), Sep 12, 1971: Piper PA-18 (N4579A), Chugiak, 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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