# NTSB ANC92LA042: Piper PA-18A-135, N3372B, Paxson, AK, February 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 29, 1992, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Paxson, AK
- Coordinates: 63.700168, -144.890457 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.7002&lon=-144.8905&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 May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5695
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5695/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA042

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO ATTAIN & MAINTAIN TAKEOFF AIRSPEED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TAKEOFF WAS PERFORMED WITH A TAILWIND, AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING ON A SNOW COVERED RIDGE, THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRPLANE AROUND TO TAKE OFF DOWNWIND AND DOWN SLOPE. AFTER THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF AND ATTAINED AN ALTITUDE OF 10 FEET AGL, THE PILOT FELT THE AIRPLANE STALL. THE PILOT NOSED THE AIRPLANE DOWN TO INCREASE THE AIRSPEED. THE PILOT THEN PULLED THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE UP, WHICH AGAIN STALLED. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN ENOUGH AIRSPEED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND OPTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. DURING THE DESCENT IN THE CANYON, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3372B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3372B), registered now, S/N 18-3496, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-135) (registry code 7101822) (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: 18-3496
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: West, Jim V.
- Registered owner: West, Jim V.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Destination: Z93, COPPER CENTER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 500 total, 440 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 5 °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 19920229004719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920229004719A), Feb 29, 1992: Piper PA18A135, Paxson, AK, Substantial damage. Landed ski plane upwind,up hill,on snow slope. Then tried depart downwind. Unable climb. Aborted. Struck trees.

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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