# NTSB ANC92LA132: Piper PA-18, N3906Z, Iliamna, AK, August 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1992, 22:10 local (Aug 14, 1992, 06:10 UTC)
- Place: Iliamna, AK
- Coordinates: 59.850086, -154.559097 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8501&lon=-154.5591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA132

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

AFTER ABORTING THE SECOND OR THIRD ATTEMPTED LANDING ON A MOUNTAIN RIDGE HUNTING STRIP, THE PILOT TURNED DOWNWIND. SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER ROLLING OUT OF THE TURN ON DOWNWIND, AND WHILE AT ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE AIRPLANE'S TAIL WENT UP AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED TO THE GROUND. IMMEDIATELY UPON IMPACT THE AIRPLANE BURST INTO FLAMES AND WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.  THREE GROUND WITNESSES ESTIMATED THAT THE GUSTY WIND WAS BLOWING AT 30 TO 50 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3906Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3906Z-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 18-7720, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- 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: 18-7720
- Airframe hours: 5300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Barry G. Stewart, doing business as Alaska Quality Safari
- Registered owner: Ron Roylan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 1992, 94 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 562 total, 264 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 30 knots, gusting 50
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19920813031469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920813031469A), Aug 13, 1992: Piper PA18150, Iliamna, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On third try for mountain strip began downwind go around, stalled due windshear. Crashed and burned.

## Other investigations on N3906Z (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 ANC81DAG86](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG86), Sep 18, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N3906Z), Valdez, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.