PIPER PA-18-150

Willow, AK — May 1, 2010

Event Information

DateMay 1, 2010
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberANC10CA034
Event ID20100503X32510
LocationWillow, AK
CountryUSA
Coordinates62.16472, -150.37389
Highest InjuryMINR

Aircraft

MakePIPER
ModelPA-18-150
CategoryAIR
FAR Part091
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
None0
Total Injured2

Event Location

Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Full Narrative

The private pilot, with one passenger, was on a personal flight to search for a missing friend in an area of remote tree- and snow-covered terrain. The pilot said that while flying slow and maneuvering at 75 feet above the ground, his passenger saw the missing man lying on the ground near a snow-covered meadow. The pilot reported that, as he started a right turn back to the meadow, he added engine power and initiated a climb but that the right wing stalled. He said that he initiated a stall recovery, but that the airplane descended nose-down into the trees. The pilot said that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.

About This NTSB Record

This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.

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