# NTSB ANC91LA159: Piper PA-18, N6644Z, Dry Bay, AK, August 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1991, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Dry Bay, AK
- Coordinates: 59.510295, -139.709197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.5103&lon=-139.7092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA159

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH THE PILOT CHOSE TO LAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - obscuration
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED LOWERING VISIBILITY AND DECIDED TO LAND ON A BEACH.  ON FINAL APPROACH AND AT APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND LANDED HARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6644Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6644Z), registered now, S/N 18-362, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-362
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary C. Gray
- Registered owner: Gary C. Gray
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: DRY BAY, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 401 total, 401 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19910826063139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910826063139A), Aug 26, 1991: Piper PA18, Dry Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Encountered thick fog. Dropped to hard landing on a beach. No weather briefing. Temperature dewpoint 2 degree spread

## Other investigations on N6644Z (1)

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 ANC73DAG22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAG22), Aug 27, 1972: Piper PA-18 (N6644Z), Skwetna, 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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