# NTSB ANC95LA163: Piper PA-18, N6996D, Palmer, AK, September 10, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 1995, 17:30 local (Sep 10, 1995, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.620323, -148.980529 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6203&lon=-148.9805&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 May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2736 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2736/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA163 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from terrain, during a low pass over a prospective (off-airport) landing area. Factors relating to the accident were: rain and rising/uneven terrain. ## 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 - weather condition - rain (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The certificated private pilot and a passenger were assessing a landing strip in remote and mountainous terrain. The landing area was located at 5,000 feet mean sea level, and numerous rain showers were present in the area. The pilot indicated that on the second low pass over the landing area, he was headed toward upsloping terrain, and his vision was obscured by rain. He noticed that the terrain was rising sharply and began a turn away from the slope. During the turn, the landing gear struck the tundra covered terrain. The airplane then descended into the terrain, and the airplane received damage to the landing gear, left wing, and propeller. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 1995, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18, N6996D, collided with terrain while maneuvering, about 35 miles north of Palmer, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to the pilot's brother, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. The sole passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1330. The pilot reported that he was assessing a landing strip in the area of the Chickaloon River. The remote and mountainous landing area was located at 5,000 feet mean sea level and numerous rain showers were present in the area. The pilot indicated that on the second low pass over the landing area, he was headed toward upsloping terrain and his vision was obscured by rain. He noticed that the terrain was rising sharply and began a turn away from the slope. During the turn, the landing gear struck the tundra covered terrain. The airplane then descended into the terrain and the airplane received damage to the landing gear, left wing, and propeller. The airplane's emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was received by search personnel at 1839. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6996D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6996D), registered now, S/N 18-5527 (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 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-6432 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James L. Baum - Registered owner: Raymond L. Baum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1995 - Departed: MRI, ANGHORAGE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,900 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 4,850 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °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 19950909032629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950909032629A), Sep 9, 1995: Piper PA18150, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. During second low pass over remote strip in rain, failed to note rising terrain. Banked away but struck tundra. 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.