# NTSB ANC14CA029: Piper PA 18-105 Special, N234T, Anchorage, AK, May 26, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 26, 2014, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.109024, -149.899398 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1090&lon=-149.8994&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89274/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89274
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA029

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control of the airplane during landing roll on a rough, grass airstrip in gusting wind.

## 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-18-105 SPECIAL, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101808), [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-18-105 SPECIAL, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/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-18-105 SPECIAL, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101808), [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-18-105 SPECIAL, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the windsock indicated wind from 130 degrees at 15 to 20 knots and that he entered a left pattern for runway 13. The pilot decided to go around after briefly touching down during the first approach, which he described as "turbulent with strong thermal activity on 1/4 mile final" with wind gusts during landing. He stated that the second approach was more comfortable, and the airplane touched down within the first 100 feet. The pilot stated that he flew a faster than normal final segment and touchdown due to the wind and turbulence with the intentions of performing a wheel landing, which he described as his normal procedure for the airstrip in such conditions. He stated that, during the landing, the tires bounced up about 6 to 8 inches on the frost heaves (which he also described as normal for the airstrip), and then the right wing lifted to what felt like about 2 feet. The pilot applied aileron and rudder corrections and applied the brakes during the landing roll, but the airplane moved the left of the airstrip centerline and collided with two parked airplanes. The pilot noted that he has flown into the airstrip for 21 years in all conditions and did not feel uncomfortable with the landing conditions. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction of the airplane. He said that he had recent experience in the airplane but noted that it may differ some from his own airplane in how it reacts to flight control inputs.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the windsock indicated wind from 130 degrees at 15 to 20 knots and that he entered a left pattern for runway 13. The pilot decided to go around after briefly touching down during the first approach, which he described as "turbulent with strong thermal activity on 1/4 mile final" with wind gusts during landing. He stated that the second approach was more comfortable, and the airplane touched down within the first 100 feet. The pilot stated that he flew a faster than normal final segment and touchdown due to the wind and turbulence with the intentions of performing a wheel landing, which he described as his normal procedure for the airstrip in such conditions. He stated that, during the landing, the tires bounced up about 6 to 8 inches on the frost heaves (which he also described as normal for the airstrip), and then the right wing lifted to what felt like about 2 feet. The pilot applied aileron and rudder corrections and applied the brakes during the landing roll, but the airplane moved the left of the airstrip centerline and collided with two parked airplanes. The pilot noted that he has flown into the airstrip for 21 years in all conditions and did not feel uncomfortable with the landing conditions. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction of the airplane. He said that he had recent experience in the airplane but noted that it may differ some from his own airplane in how it reacts to flight control inputs.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N234T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N234T), registered now, S/N 18-2348, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18-105 SPECIAL
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (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: 18-2348
- Year built: 1953
- Airframe hours: 6799
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 2013, 2 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: AK12, Anchorage, AK
- Airport: AK12, Flying Crown, runway 13, 1,078 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 29, 2013; seat: front; flight hours: 2,300 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Turbulence: Unknown

## 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 20140526008699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140526008699A), May 26, 2014: Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. While landing airman lost control of aircraft. Ground looped and hit two other parked aircraft.

## Other investigations on N234T (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 ANC76FAG51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76FAG51), Oct 12, 1975: Piper PA-18 (N234T), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA73DKG04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73DKG04), Jul 2, 1972: Piper PA-18 (N234T), Adairsville, GA, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 6, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89274. 222 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417390&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.

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