# NTSB ANC94LA071: Piper PA-18-150, N9869D, Fairbanks, AK, June 25, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 25, 1994, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.769577, -147.330825 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7696&lon=-147.3308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2514 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2514/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA071 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS DURING THE LANDING. THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND THE AIRPLANE IN GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. HE STATED THAT JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN A GUST OF WIND TURNED THE AIRPLANE 45 DEGREES TO THE LEFT. HE ADDED POWER TO ATTEMPT A GO AROUND BUT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE TREE TOPS AND CRASHED. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 1994 at 1230 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N9868D, registered to and operated by the private certificated pilot, crashed into the trees at an airstrip located 1/2 mile from the Gold King Airstrip, located 50 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Fairbanks and the destination was the accident site. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage and the pilot and passenger were not injured. According to the pilot, the wind was from the southwest at 15 knots with gusts to 25 knots. He stated that "everything went good to just before touchdown (2 feet above the ground) when a big gust came through and the next thing I knew I was pointing 45 degree to the left." He further stated that he added power attempting a go around but was too close to the trees. The airplane struck the top of a 30 foot high aspen tree and turned to the left and crashed nose first. The pilot stated there was no mechanical problem that caused the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9869D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9869D), registered now, S/N 18-7008, built 1959 (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: 18-7008 - Airframe hours: 2575 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pott, David F. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1994, 25 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,346 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19940625016929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940625016929A), Jun 25, 1994: Piper PA18150, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Weathervaned into sudden wind gust on flare. Tried to go around. Struck top of 30 foot tree and crashed. ## Other investigations on N9869D (2) 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 ANC79DAA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DAA01), Oct 7, 1978: Piper PA-18 (N9869D), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC74DAA37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAA37), May 26, 1974: Piper PA-18 (N9869D), Fairbanks, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.