# NTSB ANC90FA075: Piper PA-18-150, N9288D, Wasilla, AK, May 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1990, 18:50 local (May 26, 1990, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.6092° N, 149.2635° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FINGER LAKE (99Z), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6092&lon=-149.2635&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5293
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90FA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5293/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA075

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING A POWER REDUCTION FROM THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE ABOUT A MINUTE AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE THEN MADE A STEEP TURN AS IF TO LAND BACK ON THE LAKE, THEN STALLED AND SPUN INTO THE WATER. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE OR ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9288D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9288D-2017-07-19), registration cancelled 2017-07-19, S/N 18-6594, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-6594
- Airframe hours: 2776
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John E. Roth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1990, 5 hours before
- Departed: 99Z, WASILLA, AK
- Airport: 99Z, Finger Lake, runway 26, 5,500 × 500 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 165 total, 89 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 15° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAQ, 5 nm away

## 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 19900525017439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900525017439A), May 25, 1990: Piper STCPA18, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Stalled and spun into lake while making a steep turn on climbout.

## Other investigations on N9288D (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 ANC76DAG23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG23), Aug 16, 1975: Piper PA-18 (N9288D), Skwentna, 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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