# NTSB ANC98LA126: Piper PA-18-150, N7099Y, Cordova, AK, August 19, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 1998, 18:00 local (Aug 19, 1998, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Cordova, AK - Coordinates: 60.789726, -145.610488 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7897&lon=-145.6105&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 43869 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43869/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA126 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. A factor associated with the accident was grass covered rocks. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The private pilot was landing a tundra tire equipped airplane in an open, grass covered meadow to pick up a deer that he had shot earlier in the day. He stated that while on approach, the airplane touched down about 10 feet short of his intended touchdown point. He stated that during touchdown, the right main landing gear struck a large rock that was covered by tall grass, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing struck the ground, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 1998, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N7099Y, sustained substantial damage while landing at an off airport site located about 75 miles southwest of Cordova, 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 was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1745 from a remote hunting camp located about 3 miles southwest of the accident site. In his written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot reported that he was landing in an open, grass covered meadow to pick up a deer that he had shot earlier in the day. He stated that while on approach, the airplane touched down about 10 feet short of his intended touchdown point. He stated that during touchdown, the right main landing gear struck a large rock that was covered by tall grass, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing struck the ground, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7099Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7099Y), registered now, S/N 18-8135 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150 - 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: 18-8135 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gene Chambers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1998, 52 hours before - Departed: CVD, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,276 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,176 as pilot in command, 78 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °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 19980818027109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980818027109A), Aug 18, 1998: Piper PA18150, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. (.4) The private pilot was landing a tundra tire equipped airplane in an open, grass covered meadow to pick up a deer that he had shot earlier in the day. He… ## Other investigations on N7099Y (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 ANC00LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA130), Sep 27, 2000: Piper PA-18 (N7099Y), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. A factor associated with the accident was the presence of tall brush alongside the runway. 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.