# NTSB GAA18CA497: Piper PA18, N3872Z, Stony RIver, AK, August 18, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 18, 2018, 14:08 local (22:08 UTC) - Place: Stony RIver, AK - Coordinates: 61.79, -156.588058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7900&lon=-156.5881&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98114 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA497 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98114/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98114 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA497 ## 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) - [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-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); 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 of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll on a remote, unimproved airstrip, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and lift struts. 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 of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll on a remote, unimproved airstrip, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. As requested, the pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3872Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3872Z), registered now, S/N 18-7657, built 1961 (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: 18-7657 - Year built: 1961 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: SLQ, 17 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 20180818014419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180818014419A), Aug 18, 2018: Piper PA-18-150, Stony River, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot landed with a cross wind. When the tail came down after landing a down wind gust picked up the tail and over turned the air craft. The wind switched from… ## Other investigations on N3872Z (5) 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 ANC77DAH40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAH40), Sep 18, 1977: Piper PA-18 (N3872Z), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC77DAG22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAG22), Oct 9, 1976: Piper PA-18 (N3872Z), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC74AA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74AA044), Nov 12, 1973: Piper PA-18 (N3872Z), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC69D0051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69D0051), Jul 8, 1968: Piper PA-18 (N3872Z), Whittier, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC68D0061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68D0061), Sep 28, 1967: Piper PA-18 (N3872Z), Paxson, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98114. 275 KB in all. - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 215 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478859&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478860&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%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.