# NTSB ANC17CA023: Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL 104 Wilga 80, N9726N, Talkeetna, AK, May 14, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 13, 2017, 17:30 local (May 14, 2017, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.319168, -150.094161 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.3192&lon=-150.0942&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 5, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA Aviation Safety Inspector,  FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC17CA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95165/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95165
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17CA023

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of training and experience in the accident make and model airplane.

## 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: [Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9810280), [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: [Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9810280), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Training: training with equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530/cases.md?model=9810280), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=9810280), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md)
- [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=9810280), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/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: [Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9810280), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=9810280), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9810280), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9810280), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane stated that, during the landing roll, the airplane veered slightly left of the runway centerline. To correct for the veer, the pilot applied right rudder, and the airplane subsequently veered right. The pilot was unable to regain directional control, and the airplane continued off the right side of the runway onto soft gravel, which resulted in a rapid right ground loop. The left landing gear leg fractured, and the left wing and elevator impacted the runway surface, which substantially damaged the left aileron and fuselage. The pilot stated that he had no experience flying this model of airplane on wheels. According to the airplane owner, the airplane’s rudder and brake system was unique and could be difficult to operate. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane stated that during the landing roll the airplane veered slightly left of the runway centerline. To correct for the veer, the pilot applied right rudder, and the airplane subsequently veered to the right. The pilot was unable to regain directional control, and the airplane continued off the right side of the runway encountering soft gravel which resulted in a rapid right ground loop. The left landing gear leg fractured and the left wing and elevator impacted the runway surface substantially damaging the left aileron and fuselage. The pilot stated that he had no experience flying this model of airplane on wheels. According to the airplane owner, the PZL-104 Wilga's rudder and brake system are unique and can be difficult to operate. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9726N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9726N-2019-08-06), registration cancelled 2019-08-06, S/N CF139510, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WSK-PZL WARZAWA-OKECIE PZL 104 WILGA 80
- Registry model: [Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-warzawa-okecie-pzl-104-wilga-80) (registry code 9810280) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CF139510
- Year built: 1980
- Airframe hours: 658.7
- Engines: PZL M-14 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 2016
- Departed: UUO, WILLOW, AK
- Destination: TKA, Talkeetna, AK
- Airport: TKA, Talkeetna, runway 36, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; flight engineer, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10,001 total, 1 in this make and model, 4,059 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.61 inHg
- Observed at: PATK

## 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 20170513005629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170513005629A), May 13, 2017: Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft was on a ferry flight to Talkeetna for an annual inspection. After touch down pilot stated the aircraft started to veer left , pilot corrected with…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 27, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95165. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 997 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470612&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470613&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Photos (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 279 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470614&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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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