# NTSB ANC98LA072: Piper PA-18-160, N54247, Nikiski, AK, June 14, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 14, 1998, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Nikiski, AK - Location: 60.6903° N, 151.2889° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nikiski, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6903&lon=-151.2889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3157 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3157/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA072 ## Probable cause The pilot's use of excessive brake application during landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - roll - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The certificated private pilot was landing on a remote gravel bar. The pilot reported that upon touch down, he applied excessive braking. The airplane's tail came up, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that: '... it was just pilot error.... I just hit the brakes too hard.' The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and wing lift struts. The pilot indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical difficulties with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On June 14, 1998, about 0900 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N54247, sustained substantial damage during landing, about 30 miles northwest of Nikiski, 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 solo private pilot/owner was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska, about 0630. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 16, the pilot reported that while landing on a gravel bar, he applied excessive braking. The airplane's tail came up, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that: "... it was just pilot error.... I just hit the brakes too hard." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and wing lift struts. The pilot indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical difficulties with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54247](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54247), registered now, S/N 18-7609049, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-160 - 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: 18-7609049 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Melvin R. Hill - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1996 - Departed: 4A1, WASILLA, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,500 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °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 19980614020819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980614020819A), Jun 14, 1998: Piper PA18150, Nikiski, AK, Substantial damage. Tundra equipped pa 18 nosed over landing on a gravel bar. (From .4) the certificated private pilot was landing on a remote gravel bar. The pilot reported that… ## Other investigations on N54247 (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 ANC83LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA003), Oct 4, 1982: Piper PA-18 (N54247), Near King Salmo, AK, destroyed - [NTSB ANC81DAA35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAA35), Sep 14, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N54247), Hodzona River, AK, substantial damage 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.