# NTSB ANC90LA059: Piper PA-18, N6MX, Cordova, AK, April 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1990, 07:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Cordova, AK
- Coordinates: 60.789394, -145.610183 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7894&lon=-145.6102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5355
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5355/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA059

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE-OVER OF THE AIRCRAFT WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED A WAVE FROM A BOAT DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, takeoff
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN, THE FLOAT PLANE HAD JUST COME UP ON THE STEP, WHEN IT HIT THE WAKE OF A BOAT.  THE PLANE BALLOONED IN THE AIR BEFORE IT HAD SUFFICIENT SPEED TO FLY.  THE ACFT THEN CONTACTED THE WATER, THE FLOATS DUG IN & THE PLANE NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6MX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6MX), registered now, S/N 18-6650 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 186650
- Airframe hours: 2900
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1990, 36 hours before
- Airport: Galena Bay

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 497 total, 297 in this make and model, 405 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900415009149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900415009149A), Apr 15, 1990: Piper PA18A150, Galena, AK, Substantial damage. Hit a boat wake on takeoff to spot herring. Bounced into air. Stalled and nosed over on impact with water.

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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