# NTSB ANC92LA131: Piper PA-18A, N3889P, Eisenmenger Crk, AK, August 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1992, 16:00 local (Aug 13, 1992, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Eisenmenger Crk, AK
- Coordinates: 63.699375, -144.889251 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6994&lon=-144.8893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5778
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5778/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA131

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN CLEARANCE OF THE HIGH VEGETATION DURING TAKEOFF.  A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH VEGETATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON THE DAY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT LANDED AT THE REMOTE, UNIMPROVED STRIP, WHICH AT THE TIME, WAS 200 TO 250 FEET LONG.  DURING THAT LANDING HE USED HEAVY BRAKING AND NOSED THE AIRPLANE OVER INTO A SMALL CREEK, CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE.  THE NEXT DAY, AFTER GETTING THE AIRPLANE RIGHT SIDE UP, AND THE STRIP LENGTHENED TO 450 FEET LONG, HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF.  AFTER GETTING AIRBORNE THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR CONTACTED SOME BUSHES, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO HIT THE TUNDRA AND NOSE OVER AGAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3889P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3889P), registered now, S/N 18-4722, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- 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: 18-4722
- Airframe hours: 3806
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Owen D. Brant
- Registered owner: Owen D. Brant
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1992, 37 hours before
- Destination: D66, DELTA JUNCTION, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,481 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,957 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °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 19920812031289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920812031289A), Aug 12, 1992: Piper PA18A, Eisenmenger Crk, AK, Substantial damage. Tried to depart 450 ft remote strip. On climbout gear caught bushes causing a nose over.

## Other investigations on N3889P (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 ANC73DAG75](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAG75), Jan 15, 1973: Piper PA-18A (N3889P), Glennallen, 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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