# NTSB GAA19CA349: Piper PA18, N91144, Beluga, AK, June 16, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 15, 2019, 18:00 local (Jun 16, 2019, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Beluga, AK - Coordinates: 55.920196, -159.489166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9202&lon=-159.4892&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 April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - NTSB case key (mKey): 99646 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA349 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99646/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99646 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA349 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a noseover. ## 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: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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 reported that, during landing on a remote area, the airplane touched down on the soft tundra, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot added that a better visual assessment of the landing area might have prevented this accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he had previously landed in the remote area. During landing, the airplane touched down on the soft tundra, "causing the airplane to nose over." Additionally, the pilot reported that a better visual assessment of the landing area may have prevented this accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91144](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91144), registered now, S/N 18-8109075, built 1981 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-8109075 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 6636 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2019 - Departed: LHD, Anchorage, AK - Destination: Beluga, AK - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 23, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,513 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 8,513 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 150° at 18 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F - Observed at: PANC, 12 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 20190616007079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190616007079A), Jun 16, 2019: Piper PA-18-150, Big Lake, AK, Minor damage. Pilot stated that he needed to go to the bathroom, and he said "I had been on that landing area befor but landed from a different direction, and I was in a… ## Other investigations on N91144 (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 ANC14CA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA001), Oct 7, 2013: Piper PA 18-150 (N91144), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll with a tailwind. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 18, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99646. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476814&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - No Photographs (item 2, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476815&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20No%20Photographs-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.