# NTSB ANC90FA187: Piper PA-18A, N9279D, Birchwood, AK, September 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1990, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Birchwood, AK
- Coordinates: 61.4108, -149.170761 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4108&lon=-149.1708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5311
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90FA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5311/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA187

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO CORRECTLY ANALYZE THE WIND AND ITS EFFECT ON THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING; THEREBY FAILING TO MAINTAIN PROPER DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDING ON THE GRAVEL STRIP ADJACENT TO RUNWAY 01. JUST AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND DEPARTED THE GRAVEL STRIP OFF THE RIGHT SIDE. THE WIND WAS FROM 210 DEGREES AT 8 KNOTS GUSTING TO 12 KNOTS. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 01, THE GRAVEL STRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9279D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9279D), registered now, S/N 18-6582 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-6582
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry H. Olson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: Z15, Birchwood, runway 1, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °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 19900927042569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900927042569A), Sep 27, 1990: Piper PA18A, Birchwood, AK, Substantial damage. Landed with a quartering tailwind. Lost control and veered off runway.

## Other investigations on N9279D (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 ANC11CA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA035), May 20, 2011: Piper PA-18A (N9279D), Coldfoot, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxiing in gusty wind conditions.

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.