# NTSB ANC90LA007: Piper PA-18, N847DG, Port Heiden, AK, October 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1989, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Heiden, AK
- Location: 56.9326° N, 158.6250° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Port Heiden, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9326&lon=-158.6250&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (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): 5318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5318/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA007

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE MANEUVERING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Aircraft

- Registration: N847DG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 186182
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark Bills
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 300 total, 300 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 41 °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 19891022042049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891022042049A), Oct 22, 1989: Piper PA18A150, Port Heiden, AK, Substantial damage. Crashed while maneuvering at 100 feet AGL. Lost control in steep turn and descended onto a beach area.

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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