# NTSB ANC96LA170: Piper PA-18, N7797B, Skwentna, AK, January 22, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 22, 1996, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Skwentna, AK - Coordinates: 61.929256, -151.729888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9293&lon=-151.7299&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2916 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2916/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA170 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable site for landing. A factor associated with the accident is the snow-covered terrain. ## 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) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported he landed his wheel-equipped airplane on a remote, snow-covered sandbar. During the landing roll, the airplane's wheels sunk into the snow, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot said he should not have attempted to land on the snow covered terrain without skis. ## Factual narrative On January 22, 1996, about 1500 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N7797B, sustained substantial damage while landing on a remote, snow covered sandbar. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 flight, which departed the Skwentna Airport about 1400, and was en route to Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The pilot wrote in his NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that the airplane nosed over onto its back during the landing roll. He noted in the Recommendation section of the report the accident could have been prevented if the airplane's landing gear had been equipped with skis instead of wheels. The pilot did not report the accident until November 26, 1996, when he mentioned the accident to an FAA inspector who was questioning him about another, more recent accident. The pilot said he felt the damage incurred during the first accident was minor, and thus the accident did not need to be reported. Further statements by the pilot, and excerpts from the airplane's log books, indicate the airplane received substantial damage to the rudder and right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7797B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7797B), registered now, S/N 18-4449, built 1955 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4449 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clayton R. Waggood - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1995 - Departed: SKW - Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 430 total, 285 in this make and model, 430 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °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 19960122042389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960122042389A), Jan 22, 1996: Piper PA18A, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot reported he landed his wheel-equipped airplane on a remote, snow-covered sandbar. During the landing roll, the airplane's wheels sunk into the… ## Other investigations on N7797B (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 ANC96LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA124), Aug 14, 1996: Piper PA-18 (N7797B), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: An engine failure due to an eroded engine piston. Factors in the accident were unsuitable terrain for a forced landing and improperly timed magnetos. - [NTSB UNK64X2527](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2527), Jun 27, 1964: Piper PA18A (N7797B), Sinton, TX, destroyed, 1 fatal 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.