# NTSB ANC08CA009: Piper PA-18, N1602A, Pilot Point, AK, October 24, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 24, 2007, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Pilot Point, AK - Coordinates: 57.218887, -156.868057 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.2189&lon=-156.8681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66974 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08CA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66974/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a loss of control, and an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were gusty, high winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The commercial pilot was landing at an off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 other work use flight. The pilot reported that while on a southeasterly approach to the site, he encountered strong gusty winds from 090 degrees at 25 miles per hour, with gusts to 40 miles per hour, and he elected to go-around. During the attempted go-around, a strong gust of wind rolled the airplane abruptly to the left, and the left wing struck the ground. He said that the airplane cartwheeled, and came to rest near the approach end of the site. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot was landing at an off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 other work use flight. The pilot reported that while on a southeasterly approach to the site, he encountered strong gusty winds from 090 degrees at 25 miles per hour, with gusts to 40 miles per hour, and he elected to go-around. During the attempted go-around, a strong gust of wind rolled the airplane abruptly to the left, and the left wing struck the ground. He said that the airplane cartwheeled, and came to rest near the approach end of the site. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1602A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1602A), registered now, S/N 18-1240 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1240 - Airframe hours: 3057.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Anthony B. Lee - Registered owner: Donna Plisga - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2007 - Departed: PNP, Pilot Point, AK - Destination: Pilot Point, AK - Airport: runway 9, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 9,917 total, 7,100 in this make and model, 82 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 25 knots, gusting 40 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °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 20071024824559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071024824559A), Oct 24, 2007: Piper PA18125, Pilot Point, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) According to the Pilot, while landing to the east on a gravel strip near dog salmon river lodge, the wind shifted direction from a strong gusty left… ## Other investigations on N1602A (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 ANC98LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA093), Jul 9, 1998: Piper PA-18 (N1602A), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to identify an unsafe/hazardous condition. A related factor was the ditch. 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.