# NTSB ANC99LA111: Piper PA-18, N7174K, Talkeetna, AK, August 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 11, 1999, 19:00 local (Aug 12, 1999, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.449943, -149.79074 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4499&lon=-149.7907&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 47157 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47157/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA111 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor was high vegetation in the landing area. ## 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 - high vegetation (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot departed on a local area business flight to check on some of his hunting clients. The pilot said he did not locate the clients, but continued to aerial scout for sheep. He then decided to land in a clear area where he landed in the past. During the roll out, the pilot said brush along the left side of the area was taller that he anticipated. The left wing collided with the brush, and he attempted to keep the airplane straight by applying right brake pressure. The airplane decelerated and then nosed over. It received damage to the propeller, and the left wing lift strut. ## Factual narrative On August 11, 1999, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N7174K, sustained substantial damage while landing at a remote area, about 43 miles northeast of Talkeetna, Alaska, about latitude 62 degrees, 25 minutes north, and longitude 148 degrees, 32 minutes west. 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 was registered to the pilot. The pilot was operating the airplane for his hunting guide business, Alaska North Country Enterprises. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated from the pilot's home in Big Lake, Alaska, about 1730. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 12, 1999, the pilot reported he intended to check on some of his hunting clients. After departure from his home, he did not locate the clients, but continued to aerial scout for sheep. At the confluence of the Yellowjacket Creek, and the Talkeetna River, the pilot decided to land in a clear area where he has landed in the past. During the roll out, the pilot said brush along the left side of the area was taller that he anticipated. The left wing collided with the brush, and he attempted to keep the airplane straight by applying right brake pressure. The airplane decelerated and then nosed over. It received damage to the propeller, and the left wing lift strut. After the accident, the pilot radioed a Northwest Airline flight passing overhead. He remained at the accident site until he was picked up by an Alaska State Trooper helicopter on August 12, 1999. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7174K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7174K), registered now, S/N 18-393, built 1951 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-393 - Airframe hours: 2497 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Ak North Country Enterprises - Registered owner: Frank Dinello - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1999, 47 hours before - Departed: BIG LAKE, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 898 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 2 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 19990811046659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990811046659A), Aug 11, 1999: Piper PA18, Talkeetna, AK, No damage. (-23) After a visual inspection of the landing area the pilot landed the Piper aircraft on a graval bar at the confluence of the Talkeetna and yellow jacket… ## Other investigations on N7174K (2) 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 ANC08LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA122), Sep 11, 2008: Piper PA-18 (N7174K), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to preclude a stall while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. - [NTSB ANC01LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA006), Oct 11, 2000: Piper PA-18 (N7174K), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation. A factor in the accident was a high wind. 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.