# NTSB ANC00LA070: Piper PA-18-160, N9963Q, Palmer, AK, June 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 2000, 23:30 local (Jun 14, 2000, 07:30 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.620567, -148.979965 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6206&lon=-148.9800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 50968 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50968/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor associated in the accident was a variable wind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The certificated airline transport pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings on a remote sand bar. He stated that during his fifth landing, just prior to touchdown, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, and the left wing struck the ground. He said that as the airplane pivoted 45 degrees to the left, the right main landing gear struck the ground and collapsed. The right wing sustained substantial damage to the main spar. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 2000, about 2330 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N9963Q, sustained substantial damage while landing at an off airport site, about 20 miles southeast of Palmer, Alaska, at 61 degrees 07 minutes north latitude, 148 degrees 43 minutes west longitude. The solo certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 2200, from the Sky Ranch Airstrip, Palmer, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 14, the pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings on a remote sand bar. He said that during his fifth landing, just prior to touchdown, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane pivoted 45 degrees to the left, the right main landing gear struck the ground and collapsed. The right wing sustained substantial damage to the main spar. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9963Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9963Q), registered now, S/N 18-3950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-3950 - Airframe hours: 2873 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Darrell D. Jelle - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1999, 187 hours before - Departed: AK50, SKY RANCH, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 13,600 total, 180 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000614042709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000614042709A), Jun 14, 2000: Piper PA18135, Sky Ranch, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was landing on an unimproved strip that he had landed at 5 times previously. He had walked the strip prior to first landing, winds had changed and… ## Other investigations on N9963Q (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC01LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA124), Aug 19, 2001: Piper PA-18-135 (N9963Q), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive use of brakes during the landing roll. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.