# NTSB ANC98LA139: Piper PA-18, N8464Y, Cordova, AK, September 4, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1998, 20:20 local (Sep 4, 1998, 04:20 UTC)
- Place: Cordova, AK
- Coordinates: 60.789947, -145.610275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7899&lon=-145.6103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43879
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43879/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA139

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable off airport site for landing.  A factor associated with the accident was high vegetation (brush and weeds) in the landing area.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was landing the airplane at an off-airport site in rural Alaska.  During the landing roll, the main landing gear encountered brush and weeds, the airplane decelerated rapidly, and then nosed over.  The pilot credited the shoulder harnesses installed in the airplane with keeping the injuries to himself and his passenger minor.

## Factual narrative

On September 3, 1998, about 2020 Alaska daylight time, a  wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8464Y, sustained substantial damage while landing at a remote, off airport site located about 40 miles east of Cordova, Alaska.  The private pilot and the one passenger aboard received minor injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The flight last departed the Merle K. Smith Airport, Cordova, about 1915.  The destination was the accident site.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on September 4, beginning at 1015, the pilot related he and the airplane's owner, the sole passenger aboard, were landing at the remote site to go hunting.  The pilot said during the landing roll, the main landing gear tires encountered brush and weeds, the airplane decelerated rapidly, and then nosed over.  He also said there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the shoulder harnesses installed in the airplane saved him and the passenger from serious injury.

The airplane received substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8464Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8464Y), registered now, S/N 18-8870 (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: 18-8870
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry E. March
- Registered owner: Kurt Feckler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CDV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,750 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 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 19980903039959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980903039959A), Sep 3, 1998: Piper PA18150, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 3, 1998, about 2030 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8464Y, sustained substantial damage while landing at a…

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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