# NTSB ANC96LA004: Piper PA-18, N4463Z, Tyonek, AK, October 7, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 7, 1995, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Tyonek, AK - Coordinates: 61.080615, -151.159088 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0806&lon=-151.1591&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2779 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2779/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA004 ## Probable cause Improper planning/decision by the pilot concerning his method of testing the landing area. His selection of an unsuitable area was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, other - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - snow covered ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to land on a snow covered mountain meadow. He estimated the depth of the snow to be 1 to 2 inches. Prior to landing, he attempted to drag the landing area by lightly touching the main gear on the landing surface. When the main gear touched the snow, the airplane nosed over. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noticed that the snow was 6 inches deep and very wet. ## Factual narrative On October 7, 1995, at 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4463Z, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed over while "dragging" the intended landing area. The accident occurred 15 miles south of Beluga Lake near Tyonek, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Lake Hood Airstrip, Anchorage, Alaska, and the destination was the intended landing area. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private certificated pilot and his passenger were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. During a telephone conversation with the pilot on October 10, 1995, he stated he was going to land near the snow line. Prior to landing he wanted to "drag" the landing area. When the wheels touched the snow the airplane nosed over immediately. The pilot stated the snow was deeper than he thought. The pilot defined "dragging" the strip as the intentional flight over the landing area and the touching down of the airplane's main wheels on the landing surface in an effort to determine the condition of the landing surface. The pilot stated that he thought the snow was one to two inches deep. After exiting the airplane he noticed that the snow was six inches deep and very wet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4463Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4463Z), registered now, S/N 18-8810, built 1969 (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: 18-8810 - Airframe hours: 1936 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dennis L. Griffith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 1995, 32 hours before - Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: BELUGA LAKE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 433 total, 215 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - 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 19951007036999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951007036999A), Oct 7, 1995: Piper PA18150, Tyonek, AK, Substantial damage. Dragged remote snow covered strip. Touched wheels on snow to test depth. Nosed over. Thought snow light, 6IN deep. 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.