# NTSB ANC21LA099: Piper PA-18-150, N82448, Cordova, AK, September 23, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 22, 2021, 19:00 local (Sep 23, 2021, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Cordova, AK - Coordinates: 60.0952, -142.8183 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0952&lon=-142.8183&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 104038 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104038/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA099 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after landing in gusty wind conditions. ## 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-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101828), [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-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after landing off-airport, a wind gust “picked up” the airplane and “dropped” it to the ground. He noted that the wind at the time of the accident was variable, about 35 kts with gusts to 40 kts. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane before the accident. The airplane sustained damage to the right-wing spars and several wing ribs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82448](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82448), registered now, S/N 18-7909099, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7909099 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 11502 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Fejes Guide Service LTD - Registered owner: Fejes Guide Service LTD - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 27, 2021 - Departed: N/A, Cordova, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 29,500 total, 11,500 in this make and model, 29,500 as pilot in command, 141 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: PACV, 82 nm away - METAR: METAR PACV 230253Z 12007KT 10SM FEW025 SCT040 08/03 A2992 ## 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 20210922012909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210922012909A), Sep 22, 2021: Piper PA-18-150, Yakutat, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot is a guide and was transporting a bear hunter to a hunting location along the beach. The pilot had spotted a dead whale that had washed onto the shore.… ## Other investigations on N82448 (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 ANC15CA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA002), Oct 9, 2014: Piper PA 18-150 (N82448), Cordova, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots decision to land and failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing in gusty wind conditions. - [NTSB ANC11CA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA089), Aug 30, 2011: Piper PA-18-150 (N82448), Cape Yakataga, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot inadvertently switching off the engine magnetos during the initial climb, resulting in a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the manufacturer's placement of the magneto… 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.