# NTSB ANC92LA171: Piper PA-18-150, N1148A, Totatlanika Rvr, AK, September 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1992, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Totatlanika Rvr, AK
- Coordinates: 64.469757, -148.570541 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.4698&lon=-148.5705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5810
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5810/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA171

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION IN EVALUATING AND SELECTING UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE LANDING AREA. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: SNOW COVERED TERRAIN, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE WHEEL EQUIPPED PA-18 NOSED OVER WHILE LANDING ON A SNOW COVERED RIVER BARR. THIS WAS THE FIRST LANDING IN SNOW COVERED ENVIRONMENT THIS SEASON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1148A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1148A), registered now, S/N 18-742, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-A2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2b) (registry code 42101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-742
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Julian S. Reeder
- Registered owner: Julian S. Reeder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1991
- Departed: ENN, NENANA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 99 statute miles
- Temperature: 37 °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 19920915036679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920915036679A), Sep 15, 1992: Piper PA18150, Nenana, AK, Substantial damage. Landed wheel equipped cub on snow covered strip. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N1148A (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 SEA68D0221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68D0221), Dec 10, 1967: Piper PA-18 (N1148A), Preston, ID, 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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