# NTSB ANC96LA167: Piper PA-18, N9366D, Noatak, AK, September 21, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1996, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Noatak, AK
- Coordinates: 67.569114, -162.999374 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.5691&lon=-162.9994&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): 2913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2913/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA167

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that it had snowed approximately 18 inches on the mountain ridge.  His guide and client stamped out a landing area and estimated the stamped down snow to be 2 to 3 inches deep.  The pilot landed the airplane and during the roll out the airplane's wheels hit a small depression where the snow was 8 to 10 inches deep.  The airplane nosed over and bent the propeller and wing lift strut.

## Factual narrative

On September 21, 1996, at 1300 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N9366D, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed over during an off airport landing on a mountain ridge near Noatak, Alaska.  The business flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91 for the purpose of hunt guiding, departed a remote field site and the destination was the location of the accident.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The airplane received substantial damage.

During a telephone conversation with the pilot on October 7, 1996, he stated that it had snowed approximately 18 inches on the mountain ridge.  His guide and client stamped out a landing area and estimated the stamped down snow to be 2 to 3 inches deep.  The pilot landed the airplane and during the roll out the airplane's wheels hit a small depression where the snow was 8 to 10 inches deep.  The airplane nosed over and bent the propeller and a wing lift strut.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9366D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9366D), registered now, S/N 18-6630, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper/Sorensen PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-sorensen-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101829) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 639
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robert L. Eubank
- Registered owner: Olive B. Johnston
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1996, 200 hours before
- Departed: FIELD SITE, AK
- Destination: MOUNTAIN RIDGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 5,183 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 4,877 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °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 19960921029259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960921029259A), Sep 21, 1996: Piper PA18150, Noatak, AK, Substantial damage. (.4) On September 21, 1996, at 1300 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N9366D, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed over…

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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