# NTSB ANC90LA131: Piper PA-18, N159T, Falls Creek, AK, August 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1990, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Falls Creek, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5417/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA131

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

## 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
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE THEN STALLED AND CRASHED AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE TAKEOFF AREA. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N159T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N159T), registered now, S/N 18-2273, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182273
- Airframe hours: 1610
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Talkeetna Air Taxi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 4,900 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °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 19900803030009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900803030009A), Aug 3, 1990: Piper PA18105SPEC, Falls Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Tried to depart usable 400 foot of unimproved strip. Stalled trying to climb out of limited space.

## Other investigations on N159T (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 ANC87FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA095), Jul 12, 1987: Piper PA-18 (N159T), Sheep Mountain, AK, 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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