# NTSB ANC90LA109: Piper PA-18, N4878A, Gakona, AK, July 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1990, 18:15 local (Jul 3, 1990, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Gakona, AK
- Coordinates: 62.829814, -143.43045 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.8298&lon=-143.4305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5398
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5398/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA109

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE PERFORM WHAT APPEARED TO BE A NORMAL TAKEOFF. AT APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET, THE AIRPLANE MADE A STEEP, CLIMBING LET TURN. THE LEFT WING DROPPED SUDDENLY, QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY THE NOSE. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK THE GROUND WITH A STEEP NOSE DOWN PITCH ATTITUDE. THE WITNESSES SAID THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WS DEVELOPING FULL POWER THROUGHOUT THE TAKEOFF AND ALL THE WAY TO IMPACT. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE AND AIRFRAME DISCLOSED NO APPARENT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS OR ANOMALIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4878A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4878A), registered now, S/N 18-4977, built 1956 (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: 184977
- Airframe hours: 2584
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gregory J. Boyd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1989, 52 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Gakona, runway 6, 3,000 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 1,230 total, 480 in this make and model, 1,149 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19900702023459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900702023459A), Jul 2, 1990: Piper PA18150, Gakona, AK, Substantial damage. Took off from Private strip. Made steep climbing turn stalled and crashed.

## Other investigations on N4878A (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 MKC70FDD20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70FDD20), Jun 6, 1970: Piper PA-18 (N4878A), Rothsay, MN, 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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