# NTSB ANC98LA063: Piper PA-18, N4587A, Talkeetna, AK, June 1, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1998, 20:00 local (Jun 1, 1998, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.449539, -149.790252 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4495&lon=-149.7903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 17, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3149/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA063

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from rising terrain.  A factor associated with the accident was rising terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was flying near rising terrain while scouting for potential landing sites.  On a pass over a ridgeline, he realized he had miscalculated the pitch of the rising terrain.  He said the airplane was unable to climb as rapidly as the rising terrain, and collided with a hillside.  He said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On May 31, 1998, about 2000 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4587A, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during a low pass over a potential landing site located about 20 miles northwest of Talkeetna, Alaska.  The commercial pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed Talkeetna about 1830.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on June 1, the pilot related he was taking the passenger to scout potential landing sites for a future rafting trip. On one low pass over a ridge top, the pilot said he miscalculated the pitch of the rising terrain.  He said the airplane was unable to climb as rapidly as the rising terrain, and collided with a hillside.

The pilot indicated there were no preimpact mechanical difficulties with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4587A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4587A), registered now, S/N 18-4896, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-4896
- Airframe hours: 4380
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald L. Sousa
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1998, 70 hours before
- Departed: TKA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,300 total, 1,720 in this make and model, 2,175 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 1,256 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °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 19980531014869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980531014869A), May 31, 1998: Piper PA18150, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Low pass to survey landing site. Collided with rising terrain on pullup. (.4) on may 31, 1998, about 2000 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper…

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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