# NTSB ANC91LA077: Piper PA-18, N10PC, Woods River, AK, June 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1991, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Woods River, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809036, -147.719039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8090&lon=-147.7190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5561
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5561/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA077

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHILE TURNING AFTER A LOW PASS, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.  THE WIND GUSTS AND TURBULENCE WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A LOW, SLOW PASS OVER THE LANDING AREA.  AFTER COMPLETING THE PASS, HE MADE A SHARP BANKED TURN TO THE LEFT AT LOW AIRSPEED, AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CRASHED.  NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ACCIDENT.  A TOXICOLOGY CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED A LOW LEVEL OF ETHANOL, BUT NO ETHANOL WAS FOUND IN HIS URINE; THE AMOUNT OF BLOOD/ETHANOL DUE TO PUTREFACTION WAS NOT VERIFIED.  THE AIRPLANE WAS LOADED WITH 2 OCCUPANTS, A DOG, 73 LBS OF GROCERIES, AND A 50 LB SACK OF FEED ON EACH WING STRUT, BUT THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT VERIFY THE WEIGHT/DISTRIBUTION.  THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED WIND GUSTS AND TURBULENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10PC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N10PC), registered now, S/N 18-8217, built 1965 (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: 188217
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Lynn M. Castle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 1, 1991

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,000 total, 11,800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °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 19910619023479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910619023479A), Jun 19, 1991: Piper PA18150, Woods River, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Pulled up after low pass over grass strip,entered steep turn at low speed. Stalled and spun in.

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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