# NTSB ANC90LA143: Piper PA-18-150, N3946Z, Aniak, AK, August 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1990, 00:00 local (08:00 UTC)
- Place: Aniak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.200119, -158.599487 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2001&lon=-158.5995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5427/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA143

## Probable cause

PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AS A RESULT OF ENCOUNTERING SEVERE WEATHER EITHER DURING TAKEOFF OR LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SEVERE WEATHER, ROUGH WATER SURFACE, AND SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE TO FLY BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, unknown
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - weather condition - water,rough (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (cause)
- Nose over, unknown

## Analysis

THE FLOAT-EQUIPPED AIRPLANE WAS FOUND FLOATING UPSIDE DOWN IN A LAKE WHERE THE PILOT AND PASSENGER HAD BEEN HUNTING. STRONG WINDS, ROUGH SWELLS, AND WATER SPOUTS REPORTEDLY EXISTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3946Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3946Z-1990-09-19), registration cancelled 1990-09-19, S/N 187804 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18s) (registry code 7101806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7804
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James O. Ekstedt
- Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 1989
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °F

## Other investigations on N3946Z (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 ANC74DAG61](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAG61), Sep 30, 1973: Piper PA-18 (N3946Z), Rain Pass Lg, 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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