# NTSB ANC14CA074: Piper PA 18-135, N2158A, Fairbanks, AK, September 5, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 4, 2014, 21:10 local (Sep 5, 2014, 05:10 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.821945, -147.522506 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8219&lon=-147.5225&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Fairbanks FSDO - 01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 90024 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90024/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90024 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA074 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane resulting in a runway excursion and collision with terrain. ## 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-18-135, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-135, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101820), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was returning from a cross-country flight in a tail wheel equipped airplane. He reported a slight headwind and a stable approach until flare, then a crosswind lifted the left wing and the aircraft began exiting the runway environment. Attempts to regain directional control with rudder, aileron, and power were ineffective resulting in a collision with trees. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was returning from a cross-country flight in a tail wheel equipped airplane. He reported a slight headwind and a stable approach until flare, then a crosswind lifted the left wing and the aircraft began exiting the runway environment. Attempts to regain directional control with rudder, aileron, and power were ineffective resulting in a collision with trees. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2158A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2158A), registered now, S/N 18-1873, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18-135 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1873 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 2940 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 2013 - Departed: Fairbanks, AK - Destination: AK22, Fairbanks, AK - Airport: AK22, Lakloey Air Park, runway 06, 4,000 × 50 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 5, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 397 total, 305 in this make and model, 313 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 7 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: PAFB, 3 nm away ## 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 20140904016619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140904016619A), Sep 4, 2014: Piper PA-18-135, North Pole, AK, Substantial damage. On final in ground effect a gust of wind pushed the aircraft to the right. Unable to correct or take off again the aircraft impacted the trees on the right… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90024. 836 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 836 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416860&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. --- 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.