# NTSB ANC98LA146: Piper PA-18, N7682D, Kotzebue, AK, September 11, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 10, 1998, 20:30 local (Sep 11, 1998, 04:30 UTC) - Place: Kotzebue, AK - Coordinates: 67.239181, -161.189361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2392&lon=-161.1894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 43979 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43979/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA146 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor in the accident was sunglare as the pilot landed into the sun. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - other - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The certificated private pilot, operating a hunting/guide business, was landing a tail wheel, and tundra tire equipped airplane on a gravel bar near a remote river. The pilot landed toward the west. During the landing approach, the sun was shining in his eyes, and the left main landing gear struck an unseen log. The airplane nosed over, and received damage to the landing gear, right wing and lift struts, and the vertical stabilizer. At the time of the accident, the position of the sun was calculated to be on a 269.6 degree true azimuth from the accident site, at an elevation of 5.2 degrees. ## Factual narrative On September 10, 1998, about 2030 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N7682D, sustained substantial damage while landing on a gravel bar near a remote river, about 45 miles northeast of Kotzebue, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area business flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to the pilot, was operated in conjunction with the pilot's hunting/guide business, Hardy Alaska Adventures. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 14, 1998, at 1340, the pilot reported he is a hunting guide. He said he departed a hunting camp located a short distance away from the accident site. He intended to land on a gravel bar along the Squirrel River, to pick up some hunting gear. He was landing toward the west, and during the landing approach, the sun was shining in his eyes. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear struck an unseen log. The airplane nosed over, and received damage to the landing gear, right wing and lift struts, and the vertical stabilizer. At the time of the accident, the position of the sun was calculated to be on a 269.6 degree true azimuth from the accident site, and at an elevation of 5.2 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7682D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7682D), registered now, S/N 18-5904 (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: 18-5904 - Airframe hours: 8559 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 lbs thrust reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Hardy Alaska Adventures - Registered owner: Joseph Hardy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 1998, 98 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,775 total, 697 in this make and model, 1,755 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 30° at 8 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °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 19980910023789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980910023789A), Sep 10, 1998: Piper PA18150, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The certificated private pilot, operating a hunting/guide business, was landing a tail wheel, and tundra tire equipped airplane on a gravel bar near a… ## Other investigations on N7682D (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 MIA76DLG24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76DLG24), Jan 4, 1976: Piper PA-18 (N7682D), Chester, SC, 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.