Piper PA-18 accident near Minto, AK
On September 21, 1996, a Piper PA-18 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Minto, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- September 21, 1996
- Place
- Minto, AK
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 65.151°N, 149.371°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06648
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 20, 1996, at 1630 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N241WH, registered to and operated by the pilot, crashed into a tributary of Little Minto Lake during an approach for landing. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed the Fairbanks Float Pond, Fairbanks, Alaska, and the destination was the location of the accident site at geographic coordinates 64 degrees, 53 minutes north, and 148 degrees, 50 minutes west. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane received substantial damage. According to information obtained by the Alaska State Troopers from witnesses, the pilot was going to land in the area to pick up fellow hunters. The witnesses saw the airplane fly low over the trees and make a bank to align with the landing area on the water. They heard the engine power increase, saw the nose of the airplane rise, watched the airplane bank 60 degrees to the right, and then watched the airplane crash nose low into the water. WITNESSES A witness, Mr. John M. Rayfield was positioned approximately 75 yards south of the accident site. He stated he saw an airplane fly over. The airplane circled and then began to descend flying in a southerly direction. The witness stated he could hear the engine running but at a low power setting. As the airplane neared the tree tops, the nose of the airplane rose to a nose up attitude and banked approximately 60 degrees to the right. Then the airplane fell nose
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, while maneuvering to land, which resulted in inadequate airspeed for conditions, an inadvertent stall, and collision with terrain (water).
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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.
