Piper PA-18A-150 accident near Sanona Creek, AK
On September 2, 1993, a Piper PA-18A-150 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Sanona Creek, AK. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 2, 1993
- Place
- Sanona Creek, AK
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18A-150 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 62.099°N, 145.530°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X13278
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 2, 1993, at approximately 1000 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18A-150, N4713A, crashed during an approach to Sanona Creek airstrip, 35 miles north of Eureka, Alaska. The private pilot hunting guide and his client passenger were fatally injured. The unregistered airplane had departed Glacier Lodge airstrip, at mile 100 of the Glenn Highway at approximately 0930 in visual meteorological conditions, and was operating under 14 CFR Part 91, business. No flight plan was filed, and the guide partner of the pilot said, "he (the accident pilot) was bringing the client out there for me, to start his hunt." The airplane was destroyed. A witness to the accident told investigators that the airplane overflew the airstrip at an altitude of 300 feet above ground level (agl) and entered a left turn with approximately 30 knots of tail wind. The airplane reportedly continued a left turn to vertical and "crashed straight down." The accident pilot operated out of the Glacier Lodge for an outfitter-guide service, reportedly operated by Gary Pahl of Anchorage and Palmer. Mr. Pahl told investigators on September 2, "he was one of my guys, (or guides) he worked for me." The hunter client had arrived the previous day on a commercial flight from Texas to Anchorage. INJURIES TO PERSONS Wade E. Garfield of Wasilla, Alaska, the pilot in command, received fatal injuries in the accident as did his passenger, Attorney William R. Hitchens of Kingsville, Texas. DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT With the exception of the empennage, all primary structural components of th
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED DURING A DOWNWIND TURN FOR LANDING. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE OVERWEIGHT CONDITION OF THE AIRPLANE, AND FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT THE AIRPLANE COMPLIED WITH ALL APPLICABLE AIRWORTHINESS REGULATIONS.
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Browse: Alaska · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
