# NTSB ANC90LA073: Piper PA-18, N2515A, Talkeetna, AK, May 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1990, 11:53 local (19:53 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.450649, -149.790115 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4506&lon=-149.7901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA073

## Probable cause

COLLAPSE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DUE TO AN OVERLOAD FAILURE INDUCED BY PREVIOUS DAMAGE WHICH OCCURRED DURING AN IMPROPER LEVEL-OFF BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - previous damage (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED UPON LANDING AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE GEAR WAS DAMAGED EARLIER IN THE FLIGHT DURING AN OFF-AIRPORT 'BOUNCE CHECK' TOUCHDOWN ON A GRAVEL BAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2515A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2515A), registered now, S/N 18-1972, built 1952 (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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-1972
- Engines: LYCOMING O320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Holt, Robert W
- Registered owner: Robert N Holt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 2, 1990, 9 hours before
- Airport: AK44, Talkeetna Village Strip, runway 36, 2,000 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 365 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TKA, 1 nm away

## 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 19900521018969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900521018969A), May 21, 1990: Piper PA18, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Left main gear collapsed on landing. Aircraft then nosed over. Had damaged gear trying to land on a gravel bar.

## Other investigations on N2515A (3)

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 ANC91LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA152), Sep 12, 1991: Piper PA-18-150 (N2515A), Anaktuvuk Pass, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THAT THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALL/SPUN THE AIRPLANE TO THE GROUND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY REMOVE THE ICE/FROST FROM THE WINGS BEFORE STARTING THE TAKEOFF.
- [NTSB DEN80FTE65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FTE65), Jul 22, 1980: Piper PA-18 (N2515A), Aurora, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC79DTG14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79DTG14), Aug 22, 1979: Piper PA-18 (N2515A), Leeds, ND, 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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