# NTSB ANC96LA086: Piper PA-18, N8560C, Fairbanks, AK, June 9, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 8, 1996, 16:45 local (Jun 9, 1996, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.810028, -147.719253 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8100&lon=-147.7193&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2849 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2849/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA086 ## Probable cause The obstruction of the left rudder pedal and brake by the battery cable. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - flt control syst,rudder control - snagged (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis During landing the airplane started to veer to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake. The airplane continued to veer to the left. The pilot applied maximum braking and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane showed that the battery had been moved from the rear of the airplane to a location underneath the instrument panel in accordance with a Supplemental Type Certificate. The battery cable would contact the left rudder pedal and brake when the right rudder pedal was applied. This contact with the battery cable applied uncommanded left brake pressure. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 1996, at 1645 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8560C, registered to James Pinker of Fairbanks, Alaska, and operated by the pilot, nosed over during landing on the ski strip at Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Fairbanks for a local flight. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damage. According to the Fairbanks Airport Police, who interviewed the pilot, he stated that the left brake on the airplane's wheel felt like it was dragging. The airplane veered to the left and departed the airstrip. The pilot applied maximum braking and the airplane nosed over, damaging the rudder and right wing struts. On June 21, 1996, the airplane wreckage was examined by Federal Aviation Administration, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office Inspectors Mr. Robert Haxby and Mr. Hugh Keith. They found that both wheels would turn freely by hand. Further examination showed that the battery cable was contacting the top of the left brake pedal. The Inspectors pushed on the right rudder pedal and found that the left rudder pedal and brake would contact the battery cable. As a result, this applied uncommanded left brake. The airplane was modified with a Supplemental Type Certificate which allowed the movement of the battery from behind the baggage compartment to underneath the instrument panel. The cables are secured to the firewall with clamps. According to the owner, the modification was accomplished by Mr. Curt Stolfsus of Homer, Alaska, approximately 3 years before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8560C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8560C), registered now, S/N 18-2713, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2713 - Airframe hours: 4246 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joseph A. Nava - Registered owner: James Pinker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1996, 6 hours before - Departed: 2Z5, AK - Destination: FAI, AK - Airport: FAI, Fairbanks International, runway 19, 3,978 × 75 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 300 total, 200 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FAI ## 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 19960609013139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960609013139A), Jun 9, 1996: Piper PA18150, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. On landing at airport, nosed over. Unable to stop swerved. Battery cable caught on right rudder pedal. ## Other investigations on N8560C (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 GAA17CA408](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA408), Jul 13, 2017: Piper PA 18 (N8560C), Denali, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing on a narrow, unimproved airstrip in gusting wind conditions. 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.