# NTSB ANC92LA011: Piper PA-18, N1887A, Talkeetna, AK, October 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1991, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.450195, -149.790893 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4502&lon=-149.7909&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 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA011

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE GRAVEL BAR, AND JUST BEFORE THE FLARE, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CRASHED.  THE PILOT STATED THAT SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1887A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1887A), registered now, S/N 18-1725 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 181725
- Airframe hours: 3331
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary & Ann Foster
- Registered owner: Gary & Ann Foster
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1991, 73 hours before
- Departed: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: NONE, TALKEETNA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 310 total, 243 in this make and model, 267 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 18 °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 19911026048089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911026048089A), Oct 26, 1991: Piper PA18125, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled on approach to gravel bar. Wing hit surface and aircraft flipped over.

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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