Piper PA 18-150 N8998Y

Summary

On 27 August 2016 at about 18:48 local time, a Piper PA 18-150 registered N8998Y was involved in an accident near Salcha, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and 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

27 August 2016 at 18:48

Classification

Accident

Location

Salcha, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

64.5111, -146.6822

Aircraft

Piper PA 18-150

Registration

N8998Y

Category

Airplane

Year built

1975

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fairbanks → Salcha

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC16LA060

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot stated that he was conducting a solo cross-country flight when he entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) during the en route portion of the flight. In an attempt to exit IMC, the pilot continued straight ahead and began a descent. While descending, he saw trees through the fog and attempted to climb just prior to impacting the trees. Following the impact, a post-crash fire ensued. The accident pilot's flight instructor stated that he departed about 10 minutes ahead of the accident pilot in the same direction, but due to low cloud ceilings had returned to his departure airport. When he landed and turned on his cell phone, he received a voicemail from the accident pilot stating that he had crashed, there was a post-crash fire, and he needed help.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.