# NTSB ANC90LA126: Piper PA-18, N2362A, Gulkana, AK, July 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1990, 16:12 local (Jul 29, 1990, 00:12 UTC)
- Place: Gulkana, AK
- Coordinates: 55.920803, -159.489562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9208&lon=-159.4896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5412
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5412/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA126

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED DURING THE GO-AROUND.

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING A GO-AROUND ATTEMPT HE STALLED THE AIRPLANE AND CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA JUST OFF THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND THE ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE WIND WAS REPORTED AS 170 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS, GUSTING 30 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2362A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2362A-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 18-1909, 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: 181909
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Szaruas, Martin
- Registered owner: Martin Szaruas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, WASILLA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GKN, Gulkana, runway 14, 4,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 700 total, 700 in this make and model, 620 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GKN, 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 19900728028929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900728028929A), Jul 28, 1990: Piper PA18, Gulkana, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled land crashed into trees on a go around from balked landing.

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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