# NTSB ANC21LA008: Piper PA18, N4900C, Juneau, AK, December 3, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 2, 2020, 16:00 local (Dec 3, 2020, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Juneau, AK
- Coordinates: 58.354712, -134.57847
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.3547&lon=-134.5785&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102370
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102370/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA008

## Probable cause

The solo student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during taxi in strong crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with a ditch.

## 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/Gerbi Charles R PA 18-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101851), [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 equipment; cases with it: [Piper/Gerbi Charles R PA 18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7101851), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Piper/Gerbi Charles R PA 18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101851), [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.

- [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper/Gerbi Charles R PA 18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101851), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The solo student pilot reported that, while taxiing to park, a strong crosswind lifted the right wing and that the airplane then began to roll. He attempted to correct for the roll to no avail, and the airplane subsequently ran off the side of the taxiway and impacted a drainage ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and right lift struts. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4900C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4900C), registered now, S/N AI-18062, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18
- Registry model: [Piper/Gerbi Charles R PA 18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-gerbi-charles-r-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101851) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-A2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2b) (registry code 42101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A1-18062
- Year built: 2013
- Airframe hours: 720.7
- Engines: Lycoming O320--A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bradley Rider
- Registered owner: Bradley Rider
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2020
- Departed: PAGS, Gustavus, AK
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: JNU, Juneau Intl
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 1,200 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 25 knots, gusting 45
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.56 inHg
- Observed at: PAJN
- METAR: PAJN 030053Z 12025G45KT 10SM -RA BKN055 OVC070 11/00 A2956 RMK A02 PK WND 12047/0041 RAB49 SLP010 P0000 T01060000 $

## 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 20201202017759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201202017759A), Dec 2, 2020: Piper/Gerbi Charles R PA 18-150, Juneau, AK, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Landed N4900C at jnu shortly after 4 pm in strong winds with no issue. During taxi, a strong crosswind lifted the aircraft's right wing…

## Other investigations on N4900C (1)

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 ANC23LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA081), Sep 11, 2023: Piper/Gerbi Charles R PA 18-150 (N4900C), Juneau, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude after the airplane encountered a downdraft while maneuvering over an area of hilly terrain.

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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