# NTSB ANC91LA144: Piper PA-18, N2KA, Noatak, AK, September 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1991, 16:00 local (Sep 7, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Noatak, AK
- Coordinates: 67.570442, -163.000976 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.5704&lon=-163.0010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5618
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5618/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA144

## Probable cause

WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUST OF TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF TAILWIND WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH TO A GRAVEL BAR.  THE APPLICATION OF FULL POWER FAILED TO ARREST THE RATE OF DESCENT.  THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR STRUCK SOME BUSHES THEN LANDED HARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2KA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2KA), registered now, S/N 18-7809116, built 1978 (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: 18-7809116
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lofstedt, Vernon L., Sr.
- Registered owner: Vernon L. Lofstedt Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, multi-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 30,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 30,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 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 19910906038879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910906038879A), Sep 6, 1991: Piper PA18150, Noatak, AK, Substantial damage. Windshift to tailwind on approach to gravel bar. Struck bushes and impacted gravel hard causing 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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