# NTSB ANC11CA029: Piper PA-18-125, N1129A, Cordova, AK, May 6, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 6, 2011, 10:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Cordova, AK - Coordinates: 60.017776, -144.017776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0178&lon=-144.0178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 79065 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79065/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79065 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA029 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of aircraft control during final approach in gusty wind conditions, resulting in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=7101812), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-125, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101812), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=7101812), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-125, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101812), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that on final approach to an off-airport landing site, about 50 feet above ground level, the airplane descended and impacted the terrain. The airplane received substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane, but the wind in the area was very erratic. The pilot said the accident could have been prevented if he had made a touch-and-go landing to evaluate the wind conditions prior to landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that, on final approach to an off-airport landing site, about 50 feet above ground level, the airplane started sinking violently and impacted terrain. He said there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane, but the wind in the area was very erratic. The airplane received substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1129A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1129A), registered now, S/N 18-722, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-125 - 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: 18-722 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 2011 - Departed: PAYA, Yakutat, AK - Destination: PACV, Cordova, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 661 total, 209 in this make and model, 514 as pilot in command, 128 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - 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 20110506013959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110506013959A), May 6, 2011: Piper PA-18-125, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot reported hitting a sinker (wind downdraft) seconds before touching down during a beach landing at okalee spit 53 miles se of Cordova. Pilot stated flaps… ## Other investigations on N1129A (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 ANC02LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA067), Jul 2, 2002: Piper PA-18 (N1129A), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, which resulted in a turbulence encounter and subsequent collision with a river embankment during maneuvering flight. A contributing factor was the presence… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 30, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79065. 613 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 613 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350045&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.