# NTSB ANC98LA092: Piper PA-18, N1364P, Palmer, AK, July 10, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 1998, 10:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.620758, -148.979827 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6208&lon=-148.9798&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 43062 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43062/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA092 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path to the intended landing area and his failure to maintain flying airspeed resulting in a stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - roadway/highway ## Analysis The certificated private pilot/owner of a tailwheel equipped airplane, and a second pilot, a certificated flight instructor, were conducting a local area flight for the purpose of a biennial flight review. The pilot/owner was performing a simulated forced landing with the engine at idle power on a small road. During the landing approach, the pilot slightly overshot the intended landing area, and made a steep turn back toward the road. The second pilot added engine power, but the airplane stalled about 25 feet above the ground. The airplane descended to the ground, and hit hard on the left main landing gear. The airplane received damage to the left main gear, the left wing and lift strut, and the propeller. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 1998, about 1015 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1364P, sustained substantial damage during an off-airport landing, about 8 miles east of Palmer, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area flight for the purpose of a biennial flight review. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the first pilot/owner. The first pilot, holder of a private pilot certificate, was seated in the front seat. The second pilot, a certificated flight instructor, was seated in the rear seat. Neither pilot was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from the first pilot's airstrip in Palmer, about 0845. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on July 10, 1998, at 1320, the pilot/owner reported he was landing on a small road adjacent to the Knik River. He was performing a simulated forced landing with the engine at idle power. During the landing approach, the pilot slightly overshot the intended landing area, and made a steep turn back toward the road. The second pilot added engine power, but the airplane stalled about 25 feet above the ground. The airplane descended to the ground, and hit hard on the left main landing gear. The airplane received damage to the left main gear, the left wing and lift strut, and the propeller. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1364P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1364P), registered now, S/N 18-8265, built 1965 (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: 18-8265 - Airframe hours: 7194 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: John A. Vinduska - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 23, 1998, 20 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 378 total, 45 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19980710016389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980710016389A), Jul 10, 1998: Piper PA18150, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Simulated forced landing. Overshot intended ldg area. Then made steep turn to turnback. Stalled. CFI failed correct. (From .4) the certificated private… 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.