# NTSB ANC93LA069: Piper PA-18-150, N4388Z, Wasilla, AK, May 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1993, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2343
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2343/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA069

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT JUST PERFORMED A FULL STOP LANDING AFTER DOING A NUMBER OF TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. AS HE WAS ROLLING TO A STOP THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND HIS CONTROL CORRECTIONS HAD NO EFFECT.  THE AIRPLANE LEFT THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER.  EXAMINATION OF THE WHEEL AND BRAKE SYSTEM SHOWED NO MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES.  THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH 29 INCH TIRES.

## Factual narrative

On May 27, 1993, at 1430 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA 18 150 airplane, N4388Z, registered to the Pilot in Command, veered to the right, ran off the side of the runway, and nosed over in the ditch at the New Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed Palmer, Alaska, and the destination was Wasilla.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the Pilot in Command, the sole occupant, was not injured.

According to the Pilot in Command, after arriving at Wasilla he did some touch and go landings and he was rolling out on his last landing when the airplane veered to the right and the airplane left the runway and nosed over in the ditch.  The airplane was equipped with 29 inch Goodyear tires.

According to Austin Coller, Aviation Safety Inspector for FAA, FSDO 03, Anchorage, Alaska, examination of the wheel and brake system showed no mechanical irregularities.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4388Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4388Z), registered now, S/N 18-8714, built 1968 (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: 18-8714
- Airframe hours: 1977
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cline, Epton D.
- Registered owner: Cline, Epton D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1992, 32 hours before
- Departed: PAQ, PALMER, AK
- Airport: WAS, New Wasilla Airport, runway 21, 3,700 × 75 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 143 total, 25 in this make and model, 66 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19930527015449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930527015449A), May 27, 1993: Piper PA18150, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing ran off side of runway and nosed over. Had over size balloon tires.

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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