# NTSB ANC98LA093: Piper PA-18, N1602A, Palmer, AK, July 9, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 1998, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.620403, -148.979446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6204&lon=-148.9794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (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): 43063 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43063/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA093 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to identify an unsafe/hazardous condition. A related factor was the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff - terrain condition - ditch - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, taxi - to takeoff ## Analysis The certificated private pilot landed in a remote, off-airport area. After landing, he was taxiing toward a takeoff position, and the main landing gear entered a small ditch. The tail of the airplane was elevated in relation to the nose, and a gust of wind caught the tail. The airplane nosed over, and received damage to the left wing, and left wing lift strut. The pilot said the wind conditions were from the east at 8 to 10 knots, with gusts from 15 to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 1998, about 1330 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1602A, sustained substantial damage after landing in a remote area, about 25 miles east of Palmer, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Palmer Airport, Palmer, Alaska, about 1300. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on July 11, 1998, at 0905, the pilot reported he landed near the Knik River to look for two friends. After landing, the pilot was taxiing toward a takeoff position. The main landing gear entered a small ditch. The tail of the airplane was elevated in relation to the nose, and a gust of wind caught the tail. The airplane nosed over, and received damage to the left wing, and left wing lift strut. The pilot said the wind conditions were from the east at 8 to 10 knots, with gusts from 15 to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1602A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1602A), registered now, S/N 18-1240 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1240 - Airframe hours: 1550 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard G. Braem Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1998, 20 hours before - Departed: PAQ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 340 total, 280 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - 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 19980709023889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980709023889A), Jul 9, 1998: Piper PA18125, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Tundra tires. Landed on remote strip. Hit a ditch. Nosed down. Wind pushed tail over. (From .4) the certificated private pilot landed in a remote, off-airport… ## Other investigations on N1602A (1) 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 ANC08CA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA009), Oct 24, 2007: Piper PA-18 (N1602A), Pilot Point, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a loss of control, and an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the… 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.