# NTSB ANC95LA131: Piper PA-18-160, N814JM, Port Alsworth, AK, August 6, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 1995, 19:30 local (Aug 6, 1995, 03:30 UTC) - Place: Port Alsworth, AK - Coordinates: 60.199329, -154.28096 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1993&lon=-154.2810&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2710 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2710/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA131 ## Probable cause AN IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF A PROPELLER BLADE, WHICH RESULTED IN A SEVERE VIBRATION, SHUTDOWN OF THE ENGINE, AND A FORCED LANDING IN ALDER BUSHES. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Propeller failure/malfunction, cruise - propeller system/accessories - previous damage - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause) - powerplant - vibration - engine shutdown - performed - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, APPROXIMATELY 9.5 INCHES OF A PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE'S PROPELLER, AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN A SEVERE VIBRATION. THE PILOT CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND PULLED THE MIXTURE TO THE IDLE CUT OFF POSITION. HE THEN LANDED IN ALDER BUSHES, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. RECORDS SHOWED THAT THE PROPELLER HAD SUSTAINED A PREVIOUS PROPELLER STRIKE AND THAT IT HAD BEEN STRAIGHTENED AND CUT TO 80 INCHES. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 1995, at 1930 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N814JM, registered to and operated by the pilot, lost 9.5 inches of a propeller blade and the pilot was forced to land the airplane approximately 15 miles northeast of Port Alsworth, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Port Alsworth for a local game spotting flight. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial certificated pilot and the passenger were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. According to the pilot, during cruise flight the engine began to vibrate severely. He closed the throttle and pulled the mixture to the idle cutoff position. He pushed the nose of the airplane toward the ground and landed in the alder bushes. The airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane showed that 9.5 inches of one propeller blade was missing. Examination of the airplane records showed that the propeller had been straightened on September 30, 1994. The pilot stated during a telephone conversation on August 7, 1995, that the propeller had sustained a "propeller strike." The copy of the yellow tag submitted by the pilot showed that as a result of the propeller strike and resulting blade tip damage, the propeller had to be straightened and cut to 80 inches. The pilot also had the blade pitch angle changed to 45 inches. The pilot did not submit the propeller for examination as requested. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N814JM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N814JM), registered now, S/N 18-8608, built 1967 (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: 18-8608 - Airframe hours: 3820 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeremy Davis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 1995, 220 hours before - Departed: AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,625 total, 850 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °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 19950805028659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950805028659A), Aug 5, 1995: Piper PA18150, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. Lost 15 inches prop blade en route for game spotting. Landed in alders. Prop prior straightened due prop strike. ## Other investigations on N814JM (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 ANC03LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA050), May 17, 2003: Piper PA-18-160 (N814JM), Kenai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to compensate for gusting wind conditions during the landing flare, which resulted in the airplane encountering brush, and nosing over. Factors contributing to the accident were… 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.