# NTSB ANC98LA035: Piper PA-18, N4320Z, Talkeetna, AK, April 4, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 4, 1998, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.449638, -149.790298 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4496&lon=-149.7903&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 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3128 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3128/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA035 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors in the accident were snow covered terrain, and a hidden obstruction. ## 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 - snow covered (contributing factor) - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot was landing a ski equipped, tailwheel airplane on a remote, snow covered river gravel bar. During the landing roll, the landing gear skis struck an object buried in the snow. The pilot added power, and departed without stopping. The pilot did not observe what type of object was in the snow. Upon return to the departure airport, the pilot discovered damage to the fuselage at the right main landing gear attach point. ## Factual narrative On April 4, 1998, about 1300 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4320Z, sustained substantial damage while landing on a remote river gravel bar, about 40 miles northeast of Talkeetna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane is registered to, and operated by the pilot. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Talkeetna Airport, about 1200. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on April 7, 1998, at 1320, the pilot reported he was landing on a snow covered gravel bar. During the landing roll, the landing gear skis struck an object buried in the snow. The pilot added power, and departed without stopping. The pilot did not observe what type of object was in the snow. The pilot returned to Talkeetna, and discovered damage to the fuselage at the right main landing gear attach point. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4320Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4320Z), registered now, S/N 18-8633, built 1968 (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: 18-8633 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Max C. Schwab - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 1998 - Departed: TKA, TALKEETNA, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## 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--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,500 total, 300 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 10 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °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 19980404006019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980404006019A), Apr 4, 1998: Piper PA18150, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The certificated commercial pilot was landing a ski equipped, tailwheel airplane on a remote, snow covered river gravel bar. During the landing roll, the… ## Other investigations on N4320Z (3) 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 ANC03LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA092), Aug 8, 2003: Piper PA-18 (N4320Z), Healy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain aircraft control after encountering wind gusts during the landing flare/touchdown which resulted in an in-flight… - [NTSB ANC98LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA076), Jun 16, 1998: Piper PA-18 (N4320Z), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots misjudgement of the tailwind, and excessive application of brakes during the off airport landing. - [NTSB ANC94LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA062), Jun 1, 1994: Piper PA-18 (N4320Z), Kotzebue, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: DIRECTIONAL CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADVERTANT GROUND LOOP/SWERVE. 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.