# NTSB ANC95LA093: Piper PA-18-150, N5238N, Tyonek, AK, June 28, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1995, 17:00 local (Jun 28, 1995, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Tyonek, AK
- Coordinates: 61.079132, -151.160507 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0791&lon=-151.1605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2678
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2678/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA093

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TALL VEGETATION DURING A LOW PASS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low pass - initiated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE A LOW PASS OVER AN INTENDED OFF AIRPORT SITE TO ASSESS ITS SUITABILITY FOR LANDING. HE SAID THAT WHILE FLYING OVER THE POTENTIAL LANDING SITE, HE INADVERTENTLY DESCENDED TOO LOW, AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR CONTACTED TALL VEGETATION. THE AIRPLANE WAS 'PULLED DOWN' INTO THE VEGETATION AND NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On June 27, 1995, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N5238N, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during a low pass preparatory to landing adjacent to the Chuitna River.  The Chuitna River is located approximately 10 miles northwest of Tyonek, Alaska.  The solo private pilot reported no injury. The flight departed Wasilla, Alaska, about 1400. The personal flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on July 2, 1995, the pilot reported he was flying at low altitude alongside the Chuitna River, looking for a place to land.  He said the grass he was flying over was taller than he anticipated, and that he inadvertently allowed the airplane's main landing gear to contact the grass. The grass then "pulled" the airplane down to the ground, where it nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5238N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5238N), registered now, S/N 18-1929, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-1929
- Airframe hours: 3748
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles R. Huggins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 1994, 150 hours before
- Departed: WSI, WASILLA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, military, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19950627017969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950627017969A), Jun 27, 1995: Piper PA18150, Tyonek, AK, Substantial damage. Flying low altitude on river shore looking for a place to land. Wheels caught in tall grass. Pulled aircraft down.

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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