Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB ANC08LA122
PIPER PA-18 — Talkeetna, AK
| Date | September 11, 2008 |
| Location | Talkeetna, AK |
| Aircraft | PIPER PA-18 |
| Purpose of flight | Other Work Use |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Loss of control in flight |
| Pilot age | 48 |
| Pilot total time | 2,000 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1, 1 serious |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
What happened
The commercial pilot was on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, local area passenger flight in conjunction with his hunting/guiding business. The flight was to include landing at remote off airport sites. According to the surviving passenger, he and the pilot headed for a remote area to look for caribou. He said they were circling to the left looking for a likely camp site. He said the turn became tighter, and the angle of bank became steeper. The passenger said the angle of bank suddenly became very steep, and he heard the pilot say something like "Oh No!" over the intercom. He said he looked forward, and saw the ground through the front windscreen. The passenger said the airplane's left wing struck the ground first, followed by the nose. A fire erupted, and after putting out the fire and attempting to help the pilot, the passenger said he headed toward a camp they had seen from the air to get help. According to the passenger there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. Given the absence of any mechanical issues with the airplane, the steep bank, and sudden decrease in pitch attitude, it is likely the pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane during the turn.