# NTSB ANC96LA160: Piper PA-18-150, N3086Z, Kotzebue, AK, September 17, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1996, 17:00 local (Sep 17, 1996, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Coordinates: 67.239387, -161.190444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2394&lon=-161.1904&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 2, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA160

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area.  A factor in the accident was the soft terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot landed the airplane on the gravel bar and during the landing roll the right wheel hit a soft spot in the gravel bar.  The airplane veered to the right and dragged the left wing and left elevator

## Factual narrative

On September 16, 1996, at 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N3086Z, registered to and operated by the pilot, dragged the left wing during the landing at an off airport site located at geographic coordinates 67 degrees, 52 minutes north and 163 degrees, 43 minutes west.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed a field site in the area and the destination was the gravel bar on which the airplane dragged its wing.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.

According to the pilot, he landed on the gravel bar and during the landing roll the right wheel hit a soft spot in the gravel bar.  The airplane veered to the right and dragged the left wing and left elevator.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3086Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3086Z), registered now, S/N 18-7437, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150
- 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: 18-7437
- Airframe hours: 2975
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A28 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henry C. Clark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1996, 107 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,260 total, 3,210 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 99 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19960916028589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960916028589A), Sep 16, 1996: Piper PA18150, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on landing. (.4)the pilot landed the airplane on the gravel bar and during the landing roll the right wheel hit a soft spot in the gravel bar.…

## Other investigations on N3086Z (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 DEN73DTC09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73DTC09), Sep 26, 1972: Piper PA-18 (N3086Z), Kaycee, WY, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X0417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0417), Feb 1, 1964: Piper PA18 (N3086Z), Creston Jct, WY, 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.

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