# NTSB ANC08CA070: Piper PA-18-150, N57787, Fairbanks, AK, May 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2008, 22:30 local (May 28, 2008, 06:30 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.815277, -147.526382 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8153&lon=-147.5264&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Fairbanks, FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 68288 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08CA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68288/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was a gust of wind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 98 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot lost directional control of the airplane during landing, and the airplane ground-looped. The student pilot reported that during landing, a gust of wind picked up the right wing, and the left wing struck the runway. A certificated aircraft mechanic who inspected the airplane, said the left wing's par was bent during the ground-loop. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot lost directional control of the airplane during landing, and the airplane ground-looped. The student pilot reported that during landing, a gust of wind picked up the right wing, and the left wing struck the runway. A certificated aircraft mechanic who inspected the airplane, said the left wing's par was bent during the ground-loop. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57787](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57787), registered now, S/N 18-7709131, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150 - 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: 18-7709131 - Airframe hours: 1653 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Fogarty - Registered owner: James Fogarty - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK - Airport: PAFA, Fairbanks International, runway 19, 11,800 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 51; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: PAFA ## 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 20080527841009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080527841009A), May 27, 2008: Piper PA18150, Fairbanks, AK, Minor damage. (-23) Student pilot [privacy data omitted] released for solo flights, ground looped on landing. Student pilot reported that cross wind of 10 knots was reported… ## Other investigations on N57787 (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 GAA18CA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA362), Jun 4, 2018: Piper PA18 (N57787), Healy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s overapplication of the brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over. 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.