12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT

Piper PA-18-150 | N7145Z

August 31st, 2024 | McGrath, Alaska

Accident Location

  • City: McGrath
  • State: Alaska
  • Latitude: 62.949370
  • Longitude: -155.571990
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N7145Z
  • Make: Piper
  • Model: PA-18-150
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Foster, Cary
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 58
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School:
  • Instructional Flight:
  • Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
  • IFR Rating: No
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 2nd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: August 31st, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Approach
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No:
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot lose some track of speed or energy, and did allow the aircraft to enter a fully stalled condition while operating at a low altitude. The aircraft impacted in a nose low, left wing low condition. The airplane was found nosed down, in a near vertical attitude, on a northeast heading on the south side of the ridge. The wings remained partially attached and the tail was bent slightly to the right.

NTSB: 

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and become conditioned for recognizing flight at and below DMMS, and that back country operators be increasingly vigilant of attempted landings at locations requiring flight at high power, high AOA, and very low speeds.

NTSB:

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.