# NTSB ANC91LA124: Piper PA-18, N1017A, Eagle River, AK, August 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1991, 19:15 local (Aug 14, 1991, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Eagle River, AK
- Coordinates: 61.210994, -149.250259 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2110&lon=-149.2503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5601
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5601/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA124

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING CLIMBOUT AND LACK OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS BOTH THE DOWNDRAFT AND GUSTING WIND.

## 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
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF AND DURING INITIAL CLIMB, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHING INTO A LAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1017A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1017A), registered now, S/N 18-587, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18587
- Airframe hours: 2198
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David L. Morgan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1991, 46 hours before
- Departed: NONE, EAGLE RIVER, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 518 total, 210 in this make and model, 471 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °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 19910813033959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910813033959A), Aug 13, 1991: Piper PA18125, Eagle River, AK, Substantial damage. Floatplane encountered downdraft after water takeoff. Settled onto lake sideways and knocked off floats.

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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