# NTSB ANC90LA048: Piper PA-18, N6981B, Kodiak, AK, April 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1990, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Kodiak, AK
- Coordinates: 57.789894, -152.399749 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.7899&lon=-152.3997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5347
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5347/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA048

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN PROPER OBSTACLE CLEARANCE ALTITUDE DURING HIS FINAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND ON A BEACH, THE LEFT WING HIT AN OVERHANGING ALDER TREE, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH ON THE BEACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6981B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6981B), registered now, S/N 18-5103 (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: 18-5103
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry D. Nicholson
- Departed: ADQ, KODIAK, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,600 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,550 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19900401008559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900401008559A), Apr 1, 1990: Piper STCPA18, Kodiak, AK, Substantial damage. Wing hit a tree causing a crash while trying to land on a narrow beach.

## Other investigations on N6981B (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 ANC02LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA112), Sep 2, 2002: Piper PA-18 (N6981B), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on a remote airstrip, and his failure to perform a go-around that resulted in the airplane overrunning the end of the strip. Factors in the…
- [NTSB ANC81DAG16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG16), Aug 31, 1980: Piper PA-18 (N6981B), Big Lake, 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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