# NTSB ANC91LA097: Piper PA-18, N9579D, Eureka, AK, July 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1991, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Eureka, AK
- Coordinates: 62.099617, -145.53041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0996&lon=-145.5304&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 May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA097

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB.

## 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
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER LIFTOFF THE AIRPLANE STALLED. HE THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND CRASHED NEXT TO AN EMPTY LOG CABIN AT THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP. AFTER ROLLING FOR ABOUT 30 FEET, THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE CABIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9579D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9579D), registered now, S/N 186764, built 1958 (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: 186764
- Airframe hours: 4350
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald G. Deering
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1991, 58 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 8,578 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 8,578 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °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 19910706029129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910706029129A), Jul 6, 1991: Piper PA18, Eureka, AK, Substantial damage. Took off a third way down strip to avoid soft spot. Settled back to runway. Aborted too lated. Hit cabin end runway

## Other investigations on N9579D (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 FTW67F0232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67F0232), Aug 24, 1966: Piper PA-18 (N9579D), San Antonio, TX, 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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