# NTSB ANC96LA116: Piper PA-18, N8995D, Tyonek, AK, August 4, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 1996, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Tyonek, AK - Coordinates: 61.080875, -151.160461 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0809&lon=-151.1605&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2873 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2873/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA116 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper approach to landing, and his delay in initiating a go-around. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, go-around (vfr) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was attempting to land at a remote, off airport site to go fishing. He made two low passes to assess the landing site. On the third pass, he attempted to land, but decided he would touch down too far down the landing site. He attempted to go around, and reduced the flap setting. The airplane began to sink, and the pilot reapplied full flaps. The airplane was unable to climb away from the rising terrain and crashed. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 1996, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8995D, sustained substantial damage during an off airport landing about six miles north of Tyonek, Alaska. The private pilot and one passenger aboard reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. A VFR flight plan was in effect. The flight last departed Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1400. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 5, the pilot stated he was attempting to land at an off airport site to go fishing. He said he made two low approaches to look at the proposed landing site, and then made another approach to land. On the third approach he decided he was a little too far beyond his intended touchdown point, and decided to go around. He said he brought up a notch of flaps to begin to go around, but the airplane immediately begin to descend. He returned to a full flap setting, but the terrain climbed faster than his airplane did. The airplane struck the terrain, and bounced. The airplane bounced one more time, and yawed to the right. The left main landing gear collapsed when the airplane struck the ground the second time. The pilot reported damage to the landing gear, fuselage, and left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8995D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8995D), registered now, S/N 18-6403, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-6403 - Airframe hours: 2572 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Terrence P. Landis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1995, 160 hours before - Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 622 total, 421 in this make and model, 540 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 12 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °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 19960804020909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960804020909A), Aug 4, 1996: Piper PA18A, Tyonek, AK, Substantial damage. Made low pass over remote landing area. On landing was too high and fast. Began go around. Hit rising terrain. ## Other investigations on N8995D (2) 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 ANC02LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA085), Jul 29, 2002: Piper PA-18 (N8995D), Port Alsworth, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing roll, resulting in a nose over. A factor associated with the accident was a wind gust. - [NTSB MKC67F0011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0011), Jun 21, 1966: Piper PA-18A (N8995D), Elgin, ND, 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.