# NTSB ANC96LA007: Piper PA-18, N3183Z, Girdwood, AK, October 20, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 19, 1995, 18:00 local (Oct 20, 1995, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Girdwood, AK - Coordinates: 60.900833, -148.910049 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.9008&lon=-148.9100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2782 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2782/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA007 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Soft sandy terrain was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The certificated private pilot was landing on a remote gravel bar that had recently been covered by sand. The landing area was about 600 feet long. During the landing roll, the main wheels sank into soft sand, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, propeller, and a wing lift strut. ## Factual narrative On October 19, 1995, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18, N3183Z, crashed during landing in the Lake George area, about 18 miles northeast of Girdwood, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Butte Municipal airport, Palmer, Alaska, about 1600. The pilot reported that he was landing on a remote gravel bar that had recently been covered by sand. The landing area was about 600 feet long. The pilot landed to the south and during the landing roll, the main wheels sank into soft sand and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, propeller, and a wing lift strut. The pilot was rescued the following day after he activated the airplane's emergency locator transmitter (ELT). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3183Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3183Z), registered now, S/N 18-7174, built 1959 (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: 18-7174 - Airframe hours: 5084 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lyle F. Hanson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1995, 106 hours before - Departed: AK01, PALMER, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,687 total, 1,130 in this make and model, 1,660 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °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 19951019037199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951019037199A), Oct 19, 1995: Piper PA18150, Girdwood, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on sand covered gravel bar. Thundra tires sank into sand. Cub nosed over. ## Other investigations on N3183Z (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 ANC81DAG63](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG63), Jun 15, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N3183Z), Copper Center, AK, substantial damage 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.