# NTSB ANC98LA052: Piper PA-18, N4058Z, Cold Bay, AK, May 23, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 23, 1998, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Cold Bay, AK - Coordinates: 55.219211, -162.780227 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.2192&lon=-162.7802&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3141 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3141/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA052 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor associated with this accident was the presence of a crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command - terrain condition - large wave/swell ## Analysis The private pilot/airplane owner was landing to the west on a remote tidal beach. The pilot estimated that wind conditions at the time of the accident were from the southwest at 8 knots. The pilot stated that just after touchdown, the left wing lifted, and he attempted to abort the landing by applying full power and full left aileron. The airplane became airborne, veered to the right over the tidal surf, and collided with a large wave. The pilot and his one passenger aboard were not injured. The airplane sank, and the two occupants swam about 50 yards to shore. The airplane wreckage was not recovered. The pilot stated that he was unable to obtain full aileron deflections due to the control stick contacting the flap actuation lever. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 1998, about 0800 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4058Z, was destroyed after colliding with ocean surf, about 30 miles southwest of Cold Bay, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The private pilot/airplane owner and the one passenger aboard were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Cold Bay Airport, at 0611. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on May 28, the pilot reported that he was landing to the west on a remote beach adjacent to the Bering Sea. When the airplane touched down, the left wing lifted, and the pilot attempted to abort the landing by applying full power and full left aileron. The airplane became airborne, veered to the right over the tidal surf, and collided with a large wave. The airplane sank, and the two occupants swam about 50 yards to shore. The pilot stated that he was unable to obtain full aileron deflection due to the control stick contacting the flap actuation lever. No attempt has been made to recover the airplane wreckage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. He wrote in his written statement that wind conditions at the time of the accident were about 220 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4058Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4058Z-2014-11-25), registration cancelled 2014-11-25, S/N 18-8068, built 1963 (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: 18-8068 - Airframe hours: 3479 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth J. Desjarlais - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1997, 142 hours before - Departed: CDB, COLD BAY, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 780 total, 760 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F - Observed at: ENA ## 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 19980523010679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980523010679A), May 23, 1998: Piper PA18150, Cold Bay, AK, Destroyed. Landing on remote beach. Wind gust blew PA18 over water. Wing hit a wave. Sank. (.4) on may 23, 1998, about 0800 alask daylight time, a tundra tire equipped… 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.