# NTSB GAA19CA388: Piper PA18, N5830C, Talkeetna, AK, July 5, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 5, 2019, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.630001, -149.830001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.6300&lon=-149.8300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99780 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA388 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99780/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99780 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA388 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to land on rough, grassy terrain, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (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: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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, while landing off-airport on rough grassy terrain, the airplane struck a "bump" and bounced. After touching down again, the pilot applied brakes with the tail up, attempting to stop the airplane before it reached the top of a hill. However, the airplane reached the top of the hill and then proceeded downhill with the tail up and hit additional bumps. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing lift strut. 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, while landing off-airport on rough grass terrain, the airplane struck a "bump" and bounced. After touching down again, the pilot applied brakes with the tail up, attempting to stop prior to the top of the hill. The airplane continued and proceed downhill with the tail up, applying brakes and hitting additional bumps. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5830C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5830C), registered now, S/N 18-7778, built 1962 (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 O-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-series) (registry code 42389, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7778 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 5157.41 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2018 - Departed: MRI, Anchorage, AK - Destination: MRI, Anchorage, AK - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 16, 2019; seat: front; flight hours: 87 total, 87 in this make and model, 50.2 as pilot in command, 33.2 in the last 90 days, 11.1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 4 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: PAEC, 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 20190705009219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190705009219A), Jul 5, 2019: Piper PA-18-150, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. PIC attempted to land in the Talkeetna mountains. The PIC was not able to stop the aircraft until it got to the bottom of the hill when it flipped over onto… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99780. 729 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 561 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475580&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.