# NTSB ANC99LA119: Piper PA-18, N8841Y, Seward, AK, August 17, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1999, 18:30 local (Aug 17, 1999, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Seward, AK
- Coordinates: 60.050037, -149.330154 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0500&lon=-149.3302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47165/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA119

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.  A factor was soft sand.

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

## Analysis

The commercial certificated pilot was landing on a remote beach to assess damage to a disabled airplane at the same location.  The pilot said he landed in the area where a high tide had receded.  During the landing roll, the main landing gear tires entered soft sand, and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane received damage to the propeller, the left wing lift strut, and the rudder.

## Factual narrative

On August 16, 1999, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8841Y, sustained substantial damage during a landing at a beach on Montague Island, about 58 miles east of Seward, Alaska.  The area, known as Patton Bay, is located at latitude 59 degrees, 55 minutes north, and longitude 147 degrees, 30 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 commercial certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at the Lake Hood Strip, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1700.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 18, 1999, the pilot reported he was landing on the beach to assess damage to a disabled airplane at the same location.  The pilot said he landed in the area where a high tide had receded.  During the landing roll, the main landing gear tires entered soft sand, and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane received damage to the propeller, the left wing lift strut, and the rudder.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8841Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8841Y), registered now, S/N 18-7309025, built 1973 (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: 18-7309025
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis G. Pollard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1999, 15 hours before
- Departed: Z41, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: MONTAGUE ISLAND, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,500 total, 800 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- 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 19990816012519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990816012519A), Aug 16, 1999: Piper PA18, Seward, AK, Substantial damage. (Tty) acft crashed on landing and sustained substantial damage. Other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on August 16, 1999, about 2000 Alaska daylight time, 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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