# NTSB ANC99LA117: Piper PA-18, N221BC, Skwentna, AK, August 11, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 11, 1999, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Skwentna, AK - Coordinates: 61.929729, -151.730926 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9297&lon=-151.7309&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): 47163 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47163/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA117 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor was high vegetation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was landing at a remote airstrip to inspect some personal property at the accident location. The airstrip, about 1,150 feet long, and 150 feet wide, had been in use several years ago, but over time had become slightly overgrown with bushes. The pilot said he made several passes over the strip to check for hazards and assess its suitability for use. The pilot decided to land toward the west, and touched down with the tail wheel first. The main landing gear tires then contacted several bushes that were taller than the pilot anticipated. The airplane then nosed over, and received damage to the vertical stabilizer, the rudder, and wing ribs on both wings. ## Factual narrative On August 11, 1999, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N221BC, sustained substantial damage during landing at a remote airstrip, about 12 miles north of Skwentna, Alaska, about latitude 62 degrees, 10 minutes north, and longitude 151 degrees, 00 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska, about 1050. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 16, 1999, the pilot reported he intended to land and inspect some personal property at the accident location. The airstrip, about 1,150 feet long, and 150 feet wide, had been in use several years ago, but over time had become slightly overgrown with bushes. The pilot said he made several passes over the strip to check for hazards and assess its suitability for use. The pilot decided to land toward the west, and touched down with the tail wheel first. The main landing gear tires then contacted several bushes that were taller than the pilot anticipated. The airplane then nosed over, and received damage to the vertical stabilizer, the rudder, and wing ribs on both wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N221BC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N221BC), registered now, S/N 18-5570 (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: 18-5570 - Airframe hours: 3450 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wayne E. Fiorina - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1999, 35 hours before - Departed: PABV, CHUGIAK, AK - Airport: runway 27, 1,150 × 150 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 220 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °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 19990811012269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990811012269A), Aug 11, 1999: Piper PA18, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed on landing. (.19) on August 11, 1999, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N221BC, sustained 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.