# NTSB ANC99TA026: Piper PA-18-150, N7875D, Anchorage, AK, February 3, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: February 3, 1999, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.160587, -149.989044 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1606&lon=-149.9890&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 45726 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99TA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45726/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99TA026 ## Probable cause The pilot's use of excessive taxispeed. Factors associated with the accident were an icy taxi area, and the inadvertent activation of the throttle. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor) - throttle/power control - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - vehicle ## Analysis The certificated airline transport pilot was returning to a maintenance vendor's hangar after completing a maintenance operational check flight. He said that while taxiing on an ice covered parking area, he applied power to taxi up a small incline. He said that as the airplane's skis went over the top of the incline, he closed the throttle, and reached for the mixture control cut off. He noted that his sleeve caught on the throttle control, advancing it to the open position. He said that he was unable to stop the airplane, and the left wing struck a parked maintenance tug. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On February 3, 1999, about 1030 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N7875D, sustained substantial damage while taxiing at Lake Hood, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the U.S. Department of Interior, on a public use mission. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. In his written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot reported that he was returning to a maintenance vendor's hangar after completing a maintenance operational check flight. He said that while taxiing on an ice covered parking area, he applied power to taxi up a small incline. He said that as the airplane's skis went over the top of the incline, he closed the throttle, and reached for the mixture control cut off. He noted that his sleeve caught on the throttle control, advancing it to the open position. He said that he was unable to stop the airplane, and the left wing struck a parked maintenance tug. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7875D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7875D), registered now, S/N 18-6030, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150 - 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: 18-6030 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Registered owner: US Department Of Interior - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 1998, 49 hours before - Departed: LHD - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: LHD, Lake Hood Seaplane ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 8,500 total, 600 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Temperature: -20 °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 19990203001199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990203001199A), Feb 3, 1999: Piper PA18150, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (.19)On February 3, 1999, about 1030 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N7875D, sustained substantial damage while taxiing at lake… ## Other investigations on N7875D (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 ANC69D0131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69D0131), May 24, 1969: Piper PA-18 (N7875D), Moose Pass, AK, 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.