# NTSB ANC92LA104: Piper PA-18-150, N3997Z, Molly Creek, AK, July 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1992, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Molly Creek, AK
- Coordinates: 64.069564, -142.010177 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.0696&lon=-142.0102&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): 5753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA104

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS TERRAIN CLEARANCE WHEN PLANNING HIS TAKEOFF. FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH VEGETATION AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
- Nose over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD USED THIS LANDING STRIP AT LEAST TWENTY TIMES WITH NO PROBLEMS.  ON THIS OCCURRENCE, THE LANDING SEEMED NO DIFFERENT, BUT DURING THE TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED INTO BRUSH ON THE EAST END OF THE STRIP AND FLIPPED OVER THE EMBANKMENT, WHERE IT CAME TO A REST ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3997Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3997Z), registered now, S/N 18-7946, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- 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: 18-7946
- Airframe hours: 300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry R. Bryant
- Registered owner: Larry R. Bryant
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1992, 125 hours before
- Destination: CKX, CHICKEN, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 12,000 total, 9,999 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19920710026819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920710026819A), Jul 10, 1992: Piper PA18150, Molly Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Settled after takeoff. Wheels caught brush. Aircraft flipped over. Pilot blamed high temperature of 75 degrees.

## Other investigations on N3997Z (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 WPR14CA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA342), Jul 21, 2014: Piper PA 18-150 (N3997Z), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in variable wind conditions, resulting in a ground-loop.

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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