# NTSB ANC96LA050: Piper PA-18, N3908Z, Palmer, AK, April 15, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1996, 19:00 local (Apr 15, 1996, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.619583, -148.979492 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6196&lon=-148.9795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2822
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2822/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA050

## Probable cause

improper planning/decision by the pilot, and his selection of unsuitable terrain on which to land a ski equipped airplane.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was landing a wheel/ski equipped airplane toward the northeast at an airstrip located on his farm. The landing area was about 1,500 feet long, 50 feet wide, and consisted of dry sod. The pilot indicated that the airplane slowed rapidly when the skis contacted the landing surface. Subsequently, the airplane's tail rose, and the airplane nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On April 14, 1996, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a wheel/ski equipped Piper PA-18, N3908Z, nosed over during landing at an unimproved landing area near Palmer, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14 CFR 91 when the accident occurred.  The airplane, registered to and operated by Wiederkehr Air Inc., Palmer, Alaska, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated from the Yentna River area about 1700.

The pilot reported that he was landing toward the northeast at an airstrip located on his farm.  The landing area is about 1,500 feet long, 50 feet wide, and consists of dry sod.  The pilot indicated that the airplane decelerated when the skis contacted the landing surface. The airplane's tail began to rise and the airplane nosed over, damaging the rudder.

In the narrative portion of the pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated, in part: "...After landing on my sod runway the airplane slowed rapidly because the surface wasn't slick enough for skis."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3908Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3908Z), registered now, S/N 18-7721, built 1961 (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: 18-7721
- Airframe hours: 12570
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wiederkehr Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 22, 1996, 10 hours before
- Departed: YENTNA RIVER, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Farm Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 8,600 total, 7,900 in this make and model, 8,300 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- 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 19960414009069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960414009069A), Apr 14, 1996: Piper PA18150, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Landed ski equipped aircraft on dry dirt strip. Nosed over. Pure misjudgement.

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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