# NTSB ANC13CA045: Piper PA-18A, N2496P, Nikiski, AK, May 13, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 13, 2013, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Nikiski, AK - Coordinates: 60.173889, -152.716659 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1739&lon=-152.7167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86904 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86904/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86904 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA045 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, resulting in contact with terrain, and a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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-18A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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 was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane at an off-airport beach landing site. During the landing flare, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left, and the left wing contacted the sloping beach, resulting in a ground loop. Both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane at an off-airport beach landing site. During the landing flare, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left, and the left wing contacted the sloping beach, resulting in a ground loop. Both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2496P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2496P), registered now, S/N 18-4305 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4305 - Airframe hours: 3037 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2013 - Departed: Chinitna Bay, AK - Destination: Nikiski, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 7, 2012; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total, 800 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20130513009949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130513009949A), May 13, 2013: Piper PA-18A, Homer, AK, Substantial damage. Airman was attempting a beach landing near tuxedni bay, Alaska. Airman performed three low passes over the intended beach landing area to ensure the surface… ## Other investigations on N2496P (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 ANC76DAH55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH55), Aug 9, 1976: Piper PA-18 (N2496P), Kodiak, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC74DAH21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAH21), Jun 15, 1974: Piper PA-18A (N2496P), Homer, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86904. 568 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 568 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393478&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.