Casualties unknown

Ground Loop During Taxi Involves Student and Private Pilot (N91003)

Kenai, AK, US

On April 18, 1985, a Piper PA-18 (registration N91003) was involved in an aviation accident near Kenai, AK. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A two-seat tandem aircraft swerved and dragged a wing while taxiing after landing. The aircraft was occupied by a student pilot and a private pilot, with the private pilot acting as pilot-in-command.

Event Summary

A two-seat tandem aircraft was involved in a ground loop during taxi after landing, resulting in a wing making contact with the ground. The aircraft was occupied by the owner, a 42-year-old student pilot seated in the front seat, and a 41-year-old private pilot seated in the rear seat. The private pilot, a career police officer with the Anchorage Police Force, was technically the pilot-in-command (PIC) due to his rating, although the aircraft was piloted by the front-seat owner.

Pilot Information

The PIC reported 210 total flight hours, of which only two (2) were credited to the type of aircraft involved in the accident. The PIC failed to properly complete his medical information, his biennial flight review status, and the NTSB Form 6120.1 (accident report). He did not respond to numerous requests for further information about the accident.

The student pilot's accident report form simply stated: "Slight X-wind on final, groundlooped after TD, caught wing."

Additional Details

The definition of PIC was applied to the rear-seat private pilot to defer the necessity for FAA action against the student pilot/owner for carrying a passenger against regulation. No other operational or environmental details were reported.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X36063. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.