# NTSB ANC11CA053: Piper PA-18A, N1858A, McCarthy, AK, June 15, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 15, 2011, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: McCarthy, AK - Coordinates: 62.100982, -145.530578 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1010&lon=-145.5306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Airworthiness) - NTSB case key (mKey): 80851 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80851/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80851 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA053 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxiing in gusty wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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-18A, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that while back-taxiing at a remote, gravel-covered, off-airport site, a strong gust of wind lifted the tail, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that while back-taxiing at a remote, gravel-covered, off-airport site, a gust of wind lifted the tail, and the airplane nosed over. He noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The airplane received substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1858A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1858A), registered now, S/N 18-1686, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (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: 18-1686 - Airframe hours: 3075 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John M. Miller - Registered owner: John M. Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 2011 - Departed: McCarthy, AK - Destination: McCarthy, AK - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: powered-lift, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 2, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 1,888 total, 425 in this make and model, 1,868 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 20 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles ## 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 20110615012359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110615012359A), Jun 15, 2011: Piper PA-18A, Mccarthy, AK, Substantial damage. 6/15/2011 At approximately 1830 adt (6/16/2011, 0230Z) received information regarding a suspected accident in the Mccarthy, AK area involving a PA-18 that… ## Other investigations on N1858A (2) 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 ANC06CA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA128), Sep 1, 2006: Piper PA-18 (N1858A), Aniak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control and in-flight collision with terrain. A factor contributing to the… - [NTSB ANC02LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA055), Jun 19, 2002: Piper PA-18 (N1858A), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident is a ditch adjacent to the runway. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 5, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80851. 514 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 514 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352009&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.