# NTSB ANC96LA150: Piper PA-18, N9116D, Palmer, AK, September 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 7, 1996, 17:00 local (Sep 8, 1996, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.620182, -148.98001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6202&lon=-148.9800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2900 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2900/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA150 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper braking action, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve and subsequent damage to the airplane. His excessive airspeed during landing was a related factor. ## 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 - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - brakes(normal) - improper, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The private pilot was landing in a remote area in a tundra-tire/tail-wheel equipped airplane. He reported that his landing speed was too fast, and after touchdown, he applied heavy braking. The left brake locked, and the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane received damage to the right wing lift strut, both stabilizers, and the right elevator. ## Factual narrative On September 7, 1996, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18, N9116D, crashed during landing at a remote area about 23 miles southeast of Palmer, 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 and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, at 1500. On September 10, 1996, at 1110, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he was landing on a grass and gravel covered area. The location is about 1/2 mile south of Lake George in the Chugach Mountains. The pilot indicated that he landed too fast and applied heavy braking. The left brake locked and the airplane then ground looped to the left. The airplane received damage to the right wing lift strut, both horizontal stabilizers and the right elevator. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9116D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9116D), registered now, S/N 18-6495, built 1958 (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: 18-6495 - Airframe hours: 20000 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeff M. Duft - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 250 total, 150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °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 19960907029879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960907029879A), Sep 7, 1996: Piper PA18A150, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Landed too fast at remote strip. Used hard braking to prevent overrun. Nosed over. ## Other investigations on N9116D (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 UNK64X0346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0346), Jan 25, 1964: Piper PA18 (N9116D), Grass Valle, CA, 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.