Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-18-150 near Coldfoot, AK — 2012-09-02

Final reportANC12LA097
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Date
2012-09-02
Location
Coldfoot, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-18-150
Registration
N82016
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering to reverse course.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was on a personal cross-country flight through a mountain pass. He later reported that upon reaching the pass, the terrain elevation was climbing faster than his airplane, and the weather in the pass was worse than expected. He then decided to turn the airplane around and exit the pass the way he had come. As he made the turn, the terrain continued to rise and it was apparent he wasn't going to make the turn, so he stalled the airplane while trying to out climb terrain. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
The pilot should have decided to turn back earlier.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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