# NTSB SEA85LA106: Piper PA-18, N27036, Excursion Inlet, AK, April 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1985, 17:30 local (Apr 4, 1985, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Excursion Inlet, AK
- Location: 58.4214° N, 135.4367° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Excursion Inlet, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.4214&lon=-135.4367&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA106

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON AN AIRSTRIP IN A NARROW VALLEY WITH MOUNTAINS ON EITHER SIDE. WHILE LANDING IN VARIABLE & GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT THEN VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY ONTO ROUGH TERRAIN WHERE THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED & THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS PRIMARILY FROM THE WEST AT 10 GUSTING 15 KTS, BUT AT TIMES, IT SHIFTED TO A HEADWIND OR TAILWIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27036](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27036), registered now, S/N 18-3516 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 54-2316
- Airframe hours: 1000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffrey B. Babcock
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 5, 1985, 100 hours before
- Departed: JNU, JUNEAU, AK
- Airport: Homeshore  Logging Camp, runway 36, 2,000 × 30 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total, 90 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19850403049219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850403049219A), Apr 3, 1985: Piper L21B, Excursion Inlet, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control during rollout in variable gusting winds. Went off side of runway into rough terrain.

## Other investigations on N27036 (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 ANC96LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA091), Jun 18, 1996: Piper PA-18 (N27036), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's excessive application of the brakes during the landing roll. A factor in the accident was the flight instructor's restricted view of the landing area.

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.