# NTSB ANC92LA046: Piper PA-18A-150, N7685D, Golovin, AK, March 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1992, 20:41 local (Mar 10, 1992, 00:41 UTC)
- Place: Golovin, AK
- Coordinates: 64.71083, -164.620956 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7108&lon=-164.6210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5698
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5698/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA046

## Probable cause

PROPER ALTITUDE WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADVERTENT VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC, FOG, SNOW, AND NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING ALONG THE COAST LINE AT A LOW ALTITUDE, THE FLIGHT INADVERTENTLY ENCOUNTERED IMC AND THE PILOT LOST GROUND REFERENCE. THE PILOT DECIDED TO TURN AROUND AND DURING THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE SEA ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7685D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7685D), registered now, S/N 18-5908 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-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: 18-5908
- Airframe hours: 3867
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Chris Mcdonnell
- Registered owner: Chris Mcdonnell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1992, 32 hours before
- Departed: ELI, ELIM, AK
- Destination: WMO, WHITE MOUNTAIN, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,030 total, 930 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: 19 °F

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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