# NTSB GAA17CA565: Piper PA18, N109T, Holy Cross, AK, September 26, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 26, 2017, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Holy Cross, AK
- Coordinates: 62.069999, -160.563613 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0700&lon=-160.5636&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96114
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA565
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96114/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96114
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA565

## Probable cause

The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose-over.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 83 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll on an unimproved airstrip, the tailwheel-equipped airplane "hit a hole" and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, on an unimproved airstrip, the tailwheel-equipped airplane "hit a hole" and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N109T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N109T), registered now, S/N 18-2223, built 1952 (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 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-2223
- Year built: 1952
- Airframe hours: 9208
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 21, 2017
- Departed: HCA, HOLY CROSS, AK
- Destination: Holy Cross, AK
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 22, 2017; seat: front; flight hours: 16,300 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 230 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: PAHC, 23 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 20170926021179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170926021179A), Sep 26, 2017: Piper PA-18-150, Holy Cross, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was landing on hilltop ridge line and caught wheel in hole flipping the aircraft. Damage reported was rudder and propeller. This is an off field area.…

## Other investigations on N109T (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 ANC23FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA074), Sep 13, 2023: Piper PA-18-150 (N109T), St. Mary's, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum certificated gross weight, and his installation of an unapproved external load that degraded takeoff performance and flight…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96114. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 657 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458265&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 425 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458266&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.