# NTSB ANC94LA090: Piper PA-18-150, N7883D, Fairbanks, AK, July 17, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1994, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809997, -147.720474 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8100&lon=-147.7205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA090

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN THE APPROPRIATE AIRSPEED. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE TUNDRA TIRE EQUIPPED AIRPLANE WAS FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN FOR THE PURPOSE OF GAME SPOTTING. THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED GUSTY HEADWIND CONDITIONS. WHILE TURNING TO REVERSE DIRECTION, AWAY FROM THE RISING TERRAIN, THE PLANE STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Factual narrative

On July 17, 1994 at 1030 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA18-150 airplane, N7883D, registered to and operated by the pilot-in-command, collided with mountainous terrain while maneuvering at low altitude near Mt. Prindle in the White Mountains, approximately 60 miles northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska.  The coordinates of the accident site are 65-25'45"N X 146-39'45"W and the elevation is approximately 3,000 feet msl.   The private certificated pilot was not injured and his sole passenger received minor injuries.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pleasure flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed the Chena Marina Airport at 0930 for the purpose of spotting sheep in the area in which the accident occurred.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area and there was no VFR flight plan in effect.

The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that the flight encountered strong gusty headwinds while flying toward rising terrain at an altitude of approximately 400 feet above the ground.  Upon realizing that the plane could not out climb the terrain, he fully extended the plane's wing flaps and initiated a left turn.  While in the turn, the airspeed fell off and the left wing lost lift.  The plane made a half spiral to the left before colliding with the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7883D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7883D), registered now, S/N 18-6043, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-6043
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elgin, Donald R.
- Registered owner: Elgin, Donald R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1993, 90 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 445 total, 169 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° 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 19940717024369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940717024369A), Jul 17, 1994: Piper PA18150, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Gusty headwinds flying into rising terrain. Unable to outclimb terrain. Began turn stalled a wing and hit ground.

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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