Piper PA-18 N7174K

Summary

On 11 September 2008 at about 00:30 local time, a Piper PA-18 registered N7174K, operated by Dinello Frank A, was involved in an accident near Talkeetna, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 September 2008 at 00:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Talkeetna, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

62.4047, -148.7944

Aircraft

Piper PA-18

Registration

N7174K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Dinello Frank A

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Talkeetna → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC08LA122

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to preclude a stall while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.