# NTSB ANC91LA114: Piper PA-18-150, N4448Z, Willow, AK, August 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1991, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Willow, AK
- Coordinates: 61.889663, -149.730117 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8897&lon=-149.7301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA114

## Probable cause

WAS THE IN-FLIGHT COLLISION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH AN OBJECT DUE TO THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S LACK OF AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH, UNEVEN AND NARROW CONDITION OF THE AIRSTRIP.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED HE WAS MAKING A LOW PASS OVER THE INTENDED LANDING AREA WHEN HIS LEFT WING STRUCK SOME ALDER BUSHES.  THE AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT AND HE ELECTED TO LAND IMMEDIATELY INSTEAD OF MAKING A GO AROUND.  AFTER LANDING AND DURING THE ROLL OUT THE LEFT WING STRUCK SOME MORE BUSHES/TREES AND VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4448Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4448Z), registered now, S/N 18-8795, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- 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: 18-8795
- Airframe hours: 2640
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Grow
- Registered owner: Michael Grow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1991, 20 hours before
- Departed: PAQ, PALMER, AK
- Destination: NONE, DESHKA RIVER, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: NONE, Deshka River, runway 18, 700 × 30 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,200 total, 650 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °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 19910804031559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910804031559A), Aug 4, 1991: Piper PA18150, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. Wing struck alders on side of a dirt strip during low pass to observe condition. Went around hit trees on landing.

## Other investigations on N4448Z (2)

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 ANC03LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA036), Mar 28, 2003: Piper PA-18-150 (N4448Z), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in an encounter with soft snow, and subsequent nose over during the landing roll. A factor contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB ANC80DAG56](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DAG56), May 15, 1980: Piper PA-18 (N4448Z), Montana Creek, AK, 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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