# NTSB ANC91LA140: Piper PA-18-150, N2664A, Gold King, AK, August 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1991, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Gold King, AK
- Coordinates: 64.669548, -147.040222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.6695&lon=-147.0402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5615
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5615/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA140

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RISING TERRAIN AND THE TAILWIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AN AIRPLANE ON THE GROUND REPORTED THE WIND TO BE FROM THE NORTH AT 8 KNOTS.  DURING THE FINAL APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO SINK AT A HIGHER THAN DESIRED SINK RATE.  THE PILOT APPLIED POWER, BUT THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED THREE TIMES.  ON THE THIRD BOUNCE HE ADDED FULL POWER AND ATTEMPTED A GO AROUND INTO RISING TERRAIN.  THE TAIL OF THE AIRPLANE STRUCK SOME BRUSH AND THEN THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE AND THE PILOT ABORTED THE GO AROUND.  THEY WERE LANDING TO THE NORTH INTO RISING TERRAIN AND THE AIRPLANE'S ANGLE OF CLIMB WAS EQUAL TO THE ANGLE OF THE RISING TERRAIN.  THE PILOT STATED THAT ONCE ON THE GROUND HE NOTICED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2664A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2664A), registered now, S/N 18-2179, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-2179
- Airframe hours: 2375
- Engines: LYCOMING 0320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bruce V. Zmuda
- Registered owner: Bruce V. Zmuda
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1990, 35 hours before
- Departed: 95Z, NORTH POLE, AK
- Destination: JAP HILLS, AK
- Airport: Jap Hills Airstrip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 507 total, 375 in this make and model, 507 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 99 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910831037639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910831037639A), Aug 31, 1991: Piper PA18A150, Gold King, AK, Substantial damage. Bounced, porpoised on landing. Began go around but struck trees on rising terrain off end of airstrip.

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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