# NTSB ANC90LA066: Piper PA-18, N91117, Glennallen, AK, May 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1990, 16:00 local (May 5, 1990, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Glennallen, AK
- Coordinates: 62.099369, -145.529388 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0994&lon=-145.5294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5361
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5361/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA066

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE AND TERRAIN CLEARANCE WHILE MANEUVERING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING AT A LOW LATITUDE WHEN THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91117](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91117), registered now, S/N 18-8109072, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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: 188109072
- Airframe hours: 1418
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Gulkana Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 15, 1989, 39 hours before
- Departed: GKN, GLENNALLEN, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,350 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °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 19900504014199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900504014199A), May 4, 1990: Piper PA18150, Glennallen, AK, Substantial damage. Dragged a wing and crashed on the tundra while maneuvering at low altitude..

## Other investigations on N91117 (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 ANC11CA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA021), Mar 27, 2011: Piper PA-18-150 (N91117), Chicken Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain.

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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