Event ANC24LA002

2023-11-04 Wasilla, Alaska, United States Airport · IYS None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N3994Z

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

PIPER PA-18-150

Year of manufacture

1963 · 60 years old at event

Engine

LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)

Seats / Engines

2 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

19670428

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S A4A734

Registrant of record

HASTINGS STEPHEN J

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N3994Z Piper PA-18-150 None

Probable cause & findings

The instructor pilot’s delayed action and over application of brakes which resulted in a nose-over.

Factual narrative

While conducting an instructional flight in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, during the landing phase, the pilot receiving instruction touched down and the airplane began to veer towards the edge of the runway surface. The instructor pilot reported that, due to limited visibility he was slow to correct the veer. The instructor pilot took control of the airplane and applied the brakes which resulted in a nose-over and substantial damage to the rudder and right wing strut. The instructor pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

— Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Identification/recognition-Instructor/check pilot
— Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Instructor/check pilot
— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Instructor/check pilot
— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Surface speed/braking-Incorrect use/operation
— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_ANC24LA002.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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