# NTSB ANC94LA006: Piper PA-18-160, N8479Y, Aniak, AK, October 6, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1993, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Aniak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.200088, -158.599288 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2001&lon=-158.5993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA006

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS.  THE GUSTY WIND WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED THAT HE WAS LANDING ON A RIDGE LINE WHEN A GUST OF WIND SLAMMED THE AIRPLANE ONTO THE LANDING AREA. THERE ARE NO WEATHER REPORTING FACILITIES IN THE AREA. THE PILOT INDICATED THE WIND WAS FROM THE EAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS.

## Factual narrative

On October 6, 1993 at 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N8479Y, registered to and operated by the Pilot-in-Command, crashed during landing on a mountain ridge located 25 miles southeast of Aniak, Alaska, on the Buckstock River.  The business flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed a field site in the local area and the destination was the accident site.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The Private Certificated Pilot-in-Command and passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.

According to the Pilot-in-Command, he was landing on a mountain ridge with a quartering headwind.  The landing area was 500 to 600 feet in length with a field elevation of 2,500 feet.  On short final the airplane began to settle and it hit the landing area hard causing damage to the airplane.  The Pilot-in-Command stated he is a registered hunting guide.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8479Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8479Y), registered now, S/N 18-8876, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-160
- 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: 188876
- Airframe hours: 3345
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A20 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Katzmarek, Clay
- Registered owner: Katzmarek, Clay M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1993, 95 hours before
- Departed: UNK/NR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,656 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 185 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19931006045389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931006045389A), Oct 6, 1993: Piper PA18150, Aniak, AK, Substantial damage. Damaged by hard landing on mountain top strip. Stated a wind gust slammed aircraft into ground on final.

## Other investigations on N8479Y (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 ANC76DAG38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG38), Sep 14, 1975: Piper PA-18 (N8479Y), Egegik, AK, 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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