# NTSB FTW94LA312: Piper PA-18-160, N7513K, Galena, AK, September 25, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 24, 1994, 16:45 local (Sep 25, 1994, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Galena, AK - Coordinates: 64.74028, -156.850112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7403&lon=-156.8501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19172 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA312 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19172/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA312 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE USE OF BRAKES DURING LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WINDS AT THE REMOTE LANDING AREA. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - roll - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON A GRAVEL BAR IN A RIVER AT HIS HUNTING BASE CAMP. DURING THE APPROACH HE NOTED THAT HE WOULD BE LANDING WITH A LEFT TO RIGHT CROSS WIND. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, HE RAISED THE FLAPS AND APPLIED BRAKES. AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE TAIL CAME UP AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. AFTER EXTRICATING HIMSELF FROM THE AIRPLANE AND WALKING BACK TO THE BASE CAMP, HE NOTICED THAT THE WIND WAS VARIABLE AND HAD SHIFTED TO A TAIL WIND. HE ESTIMATED THE WIND SPEED TO BE 15, GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. ## Factual narrative On September 24, 1994, approximately 1645 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18-160, N7513K, was substantially damaged during landing near Galena, Alaska. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot was on a local flight when he decided to land at his hunting base camp on the Dulbi River. The landing area was a gravel bar in the river. The pilot estimated that it was 800 feet by 35 feet at its narrowest. The river banks were vegetated with trees and brush. He stated that he set up his normal approach to the gravel bar and noted on the homemade wind indicator that he would be landing with a left to right cross wind. He further stated that, after touchdown, he raised the flaps and applied the brakes. As he applied the brakes the tail came up and the airplane nosed over onto its back. He said that after extricating himself from the airplane and walking to the hunting camp, he noticed the wind appeared to be shifting frequently and had changed into a tail wind. He estimated the wind speed to be about 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7513K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7513K), registered now, S/N 18-225, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-160 - 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: 18-225 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Napflin, Erich - Registered owner: Lepping, Kurt M. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,212 total, 83 in this make and model, 1,182 as pilot in command, 148 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °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 19940925030729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940925030729A), Sep 25, 1994: Piper PA18, Galena, AK, Substantial damage. Crashed on landing. (-4)the pilot was landing on a gravel bar in a river at his hunting base camp. During the approach he noted that he would be landing with a… ## Other investigations on N7513K (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 ANC89LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA177), Sep 30, 1989: Piper PA-18 (N7513K), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIMSELF AND THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE STRONG/GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. - [NTSB ANC81DAG89](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG89), Aug 31, 1981: Piper PA-18 (N7513K), Homer, 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.