# NTSB ANC93LA189: Piper PA-18, N3862Z, Rocky River, AK, September 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1993, 11:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Rocky River, AK
- Coordinates: 59.389034, -151.6595 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3890&lon=-151.6595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2437
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2437/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA189

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGING HIS ALTITUDE ON FINAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

WHILE MAKING A LOW FLAT APPROACH, OVER AN OLD LOGGING ROAD, TO A REMOTE LANDING SITE, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING HIT THE TOPS OF 3 SMALL SPRUCE TREES. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN SHORT OF THE INTENDED LANDING AREA.

## Factual narrative

On September 26, 1993, at 1140 Alaska daylight time, the pilot of a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N3862Z, lost control and collided with the terrain while landing at a remote site  at the Rocky River, located 12 miles southeast of Seldovia, Alaska. The commercial pilot and one passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Port Graham, Alaska, at 1100.  Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed.

Following the accident, the pilot stated the following in part:  "I was making a low flat approach, over an old logging road, to the landing area.  About 300 yards from the selected touchdown point, and 10 feet above the ground, my left wingtip hit the tops of 3 small spruce trees.  This pulled the airplane to the left some, and the left wheel down into some low brush, then onto the ground.  Then we slid forward about 150 yards before coming to a stop.  The airplane left the road and collided with a stump.  I think one of the main wheels might have got into a rut on the road.  Grass and weeds were growing on the old road.  The airplane was equipped with 29 inch tundra tires."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3862Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3862Z), registered now, S/N 18-7637, 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: 18-7637
- Airframe hours: 3081
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael, Michael David
- Registered owner: Michael , Michael David
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 1993, 166 hours before
- Departed: PGM, PORT GRAHAM, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 815 total, 442 in this make and model, 772 as pilot in command, 156 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 155° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- 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 19930926036439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930926036439A), Sep 26, 1993: Piper PA18150, Rocky River, AK, Substantial damage. Wheels brushed tree tops landing at remote strip. Pulled left into brush and struck a stump short of strip.

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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