# NTSB ANC05CA054: Piper PA-18, N9091D, Bethel, AK, April 4, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 3, 2005, 17:00 local (Apr 4, 2005, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Bethel, AK - Coordinates: 60.766666, -161.833328 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7667&lon=-161.8333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61253 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC05CA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61253/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA054 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind during an aborted landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control. A factor associated with the accident was a crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Overrun, landing - aborted - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The private pilot reported he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on runway 36, which required a correction for a left crosswind. During the landing touchdown, the airplane bounced slightly and settled onto the right main tire. He said he attempted to abort the landing, but the airplane went off the runway, and ground looped to the right. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot noted there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. A weather observation taken at the time of the accident consisted of: Sky conditions and ceiling, 1,500 feet scattered; visibility, 10 statute miles; wind, 320 degrees (magnetic) at 11 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 3, 2005, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N9091D, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the McGrath Airport, McGrath, Alaska, about 1354. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on April 14, the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 36, which required a correction for a slight left crosswind. The pilot stated that as the airplane touched down on the runway, it bounced slightly and settled onto the right main tire, and the airplane veered to the right. He said he attempted to abort the landing, but the airplane went off the runway, and ground looped to the right. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot noted there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. Bethel Airport weather observation at the time of the accident consisted of: Sky conditions and ceiling, 1,500 feet scattered; visibility, 10 statute miles; wind, 320 degrees (magnetic) at 11 knots. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB, dated May 17, 2005, the pilot wrote: "Given to Kenai flight service station. No further recollection." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9091D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9091D), registered now, S/N 18-6469 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-6469 - Airframe hours: 3907 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Paul D. Tony - Registered owner: Paul D. Tony - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2004 - Departed: MCG, McGrath, AK - Destination: BET, Bethel, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BET, Bethel, runway 36, 6,398 × 150 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 60 total, 40 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 1 °F, dew point -6 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: BET ## 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 20050403007699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050403007699A), Apr 3, 2005: Piper PA18150, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Unable to complete investigation at this time as I have not been able to get the information from the PIC of the accident. (-23 amendment) the pilot… ## Other investigations on N9091D (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 ANC76AA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76AA023), Aug 15, 1975: Piper PA-18 (N9091D), Delta Junction, AK, substantial damage 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.