# NTSB ANC90LA176: Piper PA-18-160, N59645, Port Heiden, AK, September 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1990, 16:30 local (Sep 16, 1990, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Heiden, AK
- Coordinates: 56.960018, -158.579666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9600&lon=-158.5797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5455/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA176

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING A STRONG CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS TAXIING OUT ON THE TAXIWAY WHEN A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING. THE PILOT THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN AN OPEN DITCH. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE WIND WAS 120 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS GUSTING 30 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59645](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59645-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 18-7809095, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-160
- 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: 187809095
- Airframe hours: 2813
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Jay King, doing business as King Flying Service
- Registered owner: Jay King
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1990, 93 hours before
- Airport: PTH, Port Heiden, runway 5, 6,250 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,480 total, 1,363 in this make and model, 1,376 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °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 19900915042299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900915042299A), Sep 15, 1990: Piper PA18150, Port Heiden, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control taxiing for takeoff in severe gusty surface winds. Blown off runway added power to avoid ditch. Failed

## Other investigations on N59645 (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 ANC01LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA001), Oct 2, 2000: Piper PA-18-160 (N59645), Naknek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. Factors associated with the accident were wet and soft terrain.

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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