# NTSB ANC97LA117: Piper PA-18, N1606A, Farewell, AK, August 5, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1997, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Farewell, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA117

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate control of the airplane resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush at low altitude.  Factors to the accident were the pilot's low altitude flight maneuver and the gusty winds.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot was maneuvering the airplane at low altitude in gusty wind conditions.  He reported that during a turn, a wind gust rolled the airplane to a 75-degree bank angle, the airplane descended, and the right wing struck a tree.

## Factual narrative

On August 5, 1997, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18 airplane, N1606A, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees at position 62-10.4 north latitude, 154-01.05 west longitude, about 19 miles southeast of Farewell, Alaska.  The commercial certificated pilot and single passenger were uninjured.  The airplane was operated by Yenlo Air of Willow, Alaska.  The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was filed with a hunting guide.

According to the Alaska State Trooper who interviewed the pilot, and the pilot/operator report, the pilot made a low pass at 300 feet over a sand bar.  During the low pass, and while in a turn, a gust of wind rolled the airplane to 75 degrees angle of bank.  The airplane descended while in the turn, and the right wing subsequently struck a tree.  The airplane came to rest in the trees, with the wings vertical.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1606A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1606A), registered now, S/N 18-1246, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18
- 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: 18-1246
- Airframe hours: 4425
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David B. Filkill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 1997, 41 hours before
- Departed: Z22, WILLOW, AK
- Destination: FWL, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,884 total, 2,420 in this make and model, 3,795 as pilot in command, 202 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- 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 19970805021439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970805021439A), Aug 5, 1997: Piper PA18125, Farewell, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot was maneuvering the airplane at low altitude in gusty wind conditions. He reported that during a turn, a wind gust rolled the airplane to a…

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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