# NTSB ANC99LA104: Piper PA-18, N693JB, Levelock, AK, August 1, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1999, 19:10 local (Aug 1, 1999, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: Levelock, AK
- Coordinates: 59.29055, -156.650665 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2906&lon=-156.6507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47154
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47154/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA104

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site.

## 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 - roll
  - terrain condition - tundra
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that during an off airport landing on tundra, the tundra tire equipped airplane nosed over, damaging the left wing tip rib, and the overhead crossbar in the cabin roof.  He said there were no preaccident anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On July 31, 1999, about 1910 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N693JB, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during landing at an off airport landing site, about 10  miles west of Levelock, Alaska.  The solo commercial pilot was not injured.  The business flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by RDM Pilot/Guide, Ltd., of Anchorage, Alaska.  The flight departed King Salmon, Alaska, at 1900 to look for game.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a company VFR flight plan was filed.

The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge during a telephone interview on August 6, and wrote in his NTSB Pilot/Operator report, that during an off airport landing on tundra, the airplane nosed over.  The left wing tip rib, and the overhead crossbar in the cabin roof, were damaged.  He indicated there were no preaccident anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N693JB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N693JB), registered now, S/N 18-1255, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e2a) (registry code 42120, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-1255
- Airframe hours: 4578
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rdm Pilot / Guide, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 3, 1999, 128 hours before
- Departed: AKN, KING SALMON, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,328 total, 567 in this make and model, 1,226 as pilot in command, 193 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft broken

## 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 19990731023319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990731023319A), Jul 31, 1999: Piper PA18, Levelock, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On July 31, 1999, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N693JB, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over…

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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