# NTSB ANC91LA109: Piper PA-18, N917VK, Anchorage, AK, July 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1991, 12:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.180698, -149.880935 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1807&lon=-149.8809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5587/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA109

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE WATER, THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED.  THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE WATER FIRST AND THEN THE LEFT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N917VK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N917VK), registered now, S/N 18-7409056, built 1974 (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: 187409056
- Airframe hours: 2245
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 10, 1991, 35 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: LHD, Lake Hood, runway 11, 4,500 × 150 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 914 total, 20 in this make and model, 853 as pilot in command, 231 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19910726030399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910726030399A), Jul 26, 1991: Piper PA18150, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Student lost directional control on landing floatplane. CFI failed to prevent ensuing water loop. Taxied to dock.

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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