# NTSB ANC91GA087: Piper PA-18, N82732, King Salmon, AK, July 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1991, 17:00 local (Jul 4, 1991, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: King Salmon, AK
- Coordinates: 58.749824, -156.540451 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.7498&lon=-156.5405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91GA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5492/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91GA087

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY SWITCHED THE MAGNETOS OFF DURING THE FLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN WITH LOOSE GRAVEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - ignition system,magneto - switched off (cause)
  - powerplant controls - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE ADJUSTING THE POWER APPROACH, HIS HEAVY POLICE COAT SLEEVE SWITCHED THE MAGNETO SWITCH TO OFF, WHICH CAUSED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE.  AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON A GRAVEL BAR, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82732](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82732), registered now, S/N 18-7709182, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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: 18-7709182
- Airframe hours: 3370
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Public use
- Operator: Alaska State Troopers
- Registered owner: Alaska State Troopers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1991, 24 hours before
- Departed: Z-03, EGEGIK, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °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 19910703025999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910703025999A), Jul 3, 1991: Piper PA18150, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. During landing approach heavy polic coat sleave switched mags off. Landed gravel bar. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N82732 (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 ANC10TA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10TA028), Apr 3, 2010: Piper PA-18-150 (N82732), Stony River, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during taxi from landing, which resulted in the airplane sliding into trees.

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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