# NTSB GAA16CA482: Piper PA18, N13833, Gulkana, AK, September 9, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 8, 2016, 17:00 local (Sep 9, 2016, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Gulkana, AK - Coordinates: 62.203056, -145.395553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.2031&lon=-145.3956&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94005 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA482 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94005/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94005 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA482 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that the left wing of the airplane impacted a tree while maneuvering at low altitude. He further reported that he continued to his intended destination and landed without further incident. After he landed, a subsequent exam of the left wing revealed substantial damage to the left aileron. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that the left wing of the airplane impacted a tree while maneuvering at low altitude. He further reported that he continued to his intended destination and landed without further incident. After he landed, a subsequent exam of the left wing revealed substantial damage to the left aileron. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N13833](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13833), registered now, S/N 18-8959, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA18 (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: 18-8959 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 5936.8 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2016 - Departed: PAQ, PALMER, AK - Destination: 6K8, TOK, AK - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 8,555 total, 3,035 in this make and model, 8,387 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 13 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: PAGK, 3 nm away ## 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 20160908021159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160908021159A), Sep 8, 2016: Piper PA-18-150, Gulkana, AK, Substantial damage. On 09/08/2016 at approximately 1700 hours PIC was looking for possible areas to land along the copper river. He did a high recon of the gravel bar he was going… ## Other investigations on N13833 (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 ANC05TA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05TA126), Aug 20, 2005: Piper PA-18-150 (N13833), Cold Foot, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing down during the landing roll. A factor associated with the accident was the rough and uneven terrain. - [NTSB DEN75AD053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD053), Apr 15, 1975: Piper PA-18 (N13833), Rock Springs, WY, destroyed, 1 fatal ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 19, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94005. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447697&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447698&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.