# NTSB ANC93LA177: Piper PA-18, N82081, Mosquito River, AK, September 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1993, 17:00 local (Sep 12, 1993, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Mosquito River, AK
- Coordinates: 63.180213, -143.100387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.1802&lon=-143.1004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (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): 2427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2427/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA177

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE DURING THE LOW PASS.  A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS MAKING A LOW PASS OVER THE AREA TO EVALUATE IT FOR A POSSIBLE FUTURE LANDING AREA WITH HUNTING CLIENTS.  DURING THE LOW PASS THE RIGHT WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN IN A HOLE, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO BOUNCE.  ABOUT 25 FEET LATER IT TOUCHED DOWN IN ANOTHER HOLE, THEN NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On September 11, 1993, at 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N82081, operated by 40 Mile Air, Ltd of Tok, Alaska, collided with the terrain and nosed over while maneuvering at the Mosquito River, located approximately 45 miles northwest of Tok.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The local business flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Tok at 1630.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed.

The pilot stated that he was "dragging the strip" in an attempt to evaluate the suitability of the area for a future landing area with hunting clients.  During the low pass the right wheel touched down in a hole, causing the airplane to bounce.  About 25 feet later it touched down in another hole, then nosed over.  The right wing strut and the rudder were substantially damaged.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Mr. Lavell Wilson, Director of Operations for 40 Mile Air, stated that the results were negative from the pilot's post-accident toxicological tests.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82081](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82081-2017-07-14), registration cancelled 2017-07-14, S/N 18-7909057, built 1979 (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: 18-7909057
- Airframe hours: 1869
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: 40 Mile Air, Ltd., doing business as 40 Mile Air, Ltd
- Registered owner: Charlie, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1993, 22 hours before
- Departed: 6KA, TOK, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,794 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,744 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19930911034409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930911034409A), Sep 11, 1993: Piper PA18150, Mosquito River, AK, Substantial damage. Wheel hit a hole on low pass over a remote strip. Bounced came down other wheel hit a hole. Nosed over.

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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