# NTSB ANC90LA159: Piper PA-18, N4091Z, Northway, AK, August 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1990, 08:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Northway, AK
- Coordinates: 62.999416, -141.689743 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.9994&lon=-141.6897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5441
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5441/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA159

## Probable cause

THE 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)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB OUT, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN THE TUNDRA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4091Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4091Z), registered now, S/N 18-8109, built 1964 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 188109
- Airframe hours: 4800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard J. Sands
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1990, 22 hours before
- Departed: NONE, CHISANA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: C2N, Chisana

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,590 total, 507 in this make and model, 1,590 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900831037819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900831037819A), Aug 31, 1990: Piper PA18150, Chisana, AK, Substantial damage. Wheels hit tree tops on climbout from a gravel bar. Aircraft stalled into trees. Blamed a sick engine. Not verified

## Other investigations on N4091Z (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 MIA72FLT08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72FLT08), Sep 7, 1971: Piper PA-18 (N4091Z), Ramer, TN, 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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