# NTSB ANC92LA177: Piper PA-18-150, N3692Z, North Pole, AK, September 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1992, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: North Pole, AK
- Coordinates: 64.770202, -147.330261 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7702&lon=-147.3303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (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): 5816
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5816/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA177

## Probable cause

PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT TAKEOFF WITHOUT REMOVING SNOW FROM AIRCRAFT SURFACES.  FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW CONTAMINATED WING AND OTHER FLIGHT SURFACES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff
  - wing - contamination (contributing factor)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PILOT LANDED ON GRAVEL BAR AND LOADED PAX AND CARGO WHILE SNOW ACCUMULATED ON AIRPLANE.  PILOT THOUGHT SNOW WOULD BLOW OFF ON TAKEOFF. AIRPLANE COULD NOT TAKEOFF AND NOSED OVER INVERTED IN RIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3692Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3692Z), registered now, S/N 18-7427, built 1960 (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: 18-7427
- Airframe hours: 2860
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth J. Turnquist
- Registered owner: Kenneth J. Turnquist
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1991, 46 hours before
- Departed: WOOD RIVER BAR, AK
- Destination: 95Z, NORTH POLE, AK
- Airport: Wood River Gravel Bar

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °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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