# NTSB ANC94LA112: Piper PA-18, N94FB, Koliganek, AK, August 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1994, 17:50 local (Aug 20, 1994, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Koliganek, AK
- Coordinates: 58.820549, -157.859649 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8205&lon=-157.8596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2544
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2544/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA112

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND FAILURE TO ATTAIN A TOUCHDOWN POINT IN THE LANDING AREA. AN OBSTACLE (TREE) IN THE LANDING AREA WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE COMPLETING A PERSONAL CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF HUNTING AND THE PILOT PLANNED A LANDING IN A REMOTE AREA OF TUNDRA IN AN AIRPLANE EQUIPPED WITH LARGE TUNDRA TIRES. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THE LANDING AREA TO BE ABOUT 600 FEET LONG. THE PILOT LANDED IN ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE AREA; HOWEVER, THEN DECIDED TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND. THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER; HOWEVER, THE LEFT WING AND LEFT LANDING GEAR STRUCK ABOUT A 20 FOOT HIGH TREE. AFTER IMPACT, THE PILOT LANDED AND DISCOVERED THAT THE INTENDED LANDING AREA WAS 400 FEET LONG.

## Factual narrative

On August 19, 1994, at 1750 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA18-150 airplane, N94FB, owned and operated by the pilot-in-command, collided with a tree during an attempted go-around from a remote tundra strip approximately 34 miles southwest of Koliganek, Alaska.  The private certificated pilot and his passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pleasure flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed Palmer, Alaska at 1750 on August 18 and the intended destination was the area in which the mishap occurred.  According to the pilot, visual meteorological conditions prevailed and there was no flight plan in effect.

The pilot reported that he initially estimated the landing area to be about 600 feet long.  During the landing attempt, he touched down in the middle of the landing area and then decided to go-around.  The pilot added full power; however, the left wing and left landing gear struck a 20 foot high tree.  After the accident, the pilot determined that the landing area was about 400 feet long.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94FB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94FB-2018-04-18), registration cancelled 2018-04-18, S/N 18-7509125, built 1975 (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: 18-7509125
- Airframe hours: 1165
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Deda, Charles V.
- Registered owner: Deda, Charles V.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1994, 111 hours before
- Departed: ILI, PALMER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 703 total, 108 in this make and model, 668 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19940819022499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940819022499A), Aug 19, 1994: Piper PA18150, Koliganek, AK, Substantial damage. Landed long on 400 ft strip. Tried go around. Wing struck a tree on climbout. Beleived strip was 600 ft long.

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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