# NTSB ANC96LA143: Piper PA-18, N7669D, Gakona, AK, September 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 2, 1996, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Gakona, AK - Coordinates: 62.830432, -143.429367 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.8304&lon=-143.4294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2895 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2895/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA143 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent collision with trees/brush. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind and wind gusts. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was landing his 'Tundra' tire equipped airplane on a turf airstrip in gusty crosswind conditions. During the landing roll, a gust of wind veered the airplane to the right. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane went off the airstrip and collided with trees and brush. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 1996, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a "Tundra" tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N7669D, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Chistochina airstrip, which is located approximately 30 miles northeast of Gakona, Alaska. The private certificated pilot and the sole passenger aboard were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight last departed a rural "bush" airstrip near Mankomen Lake, about 1240, and the destination was Chistochina. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on September 4, 1996, the pilot stated he was attempting to land on runway 01 in gusty winds. He said the airplane initially bounced on landing, and he added power and touched down again. While rolling out after the second touchdown, he said a crosswind gust caused the airplane to veer to the right. He was unable to control the airplane, and it went off the runway and collided with the bordering trees and brush. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7669D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7669D), registered now, S/N 18-5939, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-5939 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Larry R. Scribner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: MANKOMEN LAKE, AK - Airport: CZO, Chistochina, runway 1, 2,060 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,057 total, 1,564 in this make and model, 2,057 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - 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 19960902025939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960902025939A), Sep 2, 1996: Piper PA18A150, Chistochina, AK, Substantial damage. Bounce crosswind landing. Added power. Touched down again. Lost control. Veered off runway into brush and trees. ## Other investigations on N7669D (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 FTW70FQD06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70FQD06), Feb 25, 1970: Piper PA-18A (N7669D), El Paso, TX, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW68D0605](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68D0605), Apr 28, 1968: Piper PA-18 (N7669D), Charlotte, TX, 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.