# NTSB ANC11CA036: Piper J5A, N2364, Palmer, AK, May 27, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 26, 2011, 19:15 local (May 27, 2011, 03:15 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.594722, -149.088607 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5947&lon=-149.0886&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 79227 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79227/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79227 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA036 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 J5A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 J5A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper J5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot initiated a go-around on his first landing attempt due to low level turbulence associated with wind coming over nearby trees. He elected to land beyond the trees on his next attempt, but about 5 feet above the runway, the airplane turned sharply to the right, descended and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot said there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and that he should have selected another airport where the wind was not a factor. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot initiated a go-around on his first landing attempt due to low level turbulence associated with wind coming over nearby trees. He elected to land beyond the trees on his next attempt, but about 5 feet above the runway, the airplane turned sharply to the right, and dropped to the ground. He said there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and that he should have selected another airport where the wind was not a factor. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2364](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2364-2018-05-03), registration cancelled 2018-05-03, S/N 5-844 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J5A - Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5-844 - Airframe hours: 4483 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steven F Pechota - Registered owner: Steven F Pechota - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 2011 - Departed: PAAQ, Palmer, AK - Destination: PAAQ, Palmer, AK - Airport: PAAQ, Palmer Municipal, runway 09, 3,617 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 42; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 92 total, 83 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.71 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ ## 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 20110526009879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110526009879A), May 26, 2011: Piper J5A, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. On landing on runway 09 pilot stated he cleared trees at end of runway at 10 feet above runway aircraft pitched to right. He applied power full left rudder and… ## Other investigations on N2364 (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 ANC04CA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04CA083), Jul 23, 2004: Piper J5A (N2364), Kotzebue, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent use of the airplane's brakes during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain… ## 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=79227. 150 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350453&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.