Piper PA-18 N8653Y accident, Anchorage, AK, Jul 27, 1988 · NTSB ANC88LA097

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterLanding - roll

Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause

Remedial action - delayedPilot in commandFactor

Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skidLanding - roll

Analysis

The private pilot and his passenger were uninjured when their Piper PA-18 (super cub) ground-looped while landing at Anchorage international airport, Anchorage, AK. The pilot stated that the right main landing gear tire 'grabbed' when it touched the paved runway surface, and the airplane turned abruptly to the right. He stated that he could have avoided the resulting ground-loop if he had applied the left brake sooner. The airplane was equipped with over-sized 30' tires.

Aircraft

Registration: N8653Y
Reported as: Piper PA-18
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 18 7309024
Airframe hours: 1,378
Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2A, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Operator: Hulbert, Ward A.
Registered owner: Johnson, Leslie
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Last inspection: Annual · June 24, 1988 · 24 hours before
Departed: PAQ · Palmer, AK
Destination: ANC · Anchorage, AK
Airport: ANC · Anchorage, runway 14, 10,496 × 150 ft, asphalt

N8653YRegistered now · Piper PA-18-150S/N 18-7309024 Airframe modelPiper PA-18-150 Engine modelLycoming 0-320 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 56
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land, Single-engine sea
Medical: Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat: Front
Flight hours: 1,596 total · 1,100 in this make and model · 1,555 as pilot in command · 78 in the last 90 days · 25 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 30° at 5 knots
Visibility: 60 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
Observed at: ANC

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 19880727028229APiper PA18150 · Anchorage, AKGround looped after landing. Has over size tires which are difficult to control on a hard surface.Jul 27, 1988 · N8653Y · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N8653Y · 4

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB ANC04LA095Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSoldotna, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent.Aug 13, 2004 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC94LA138Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportKodiak, AKA failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for crosswind conditions. A crosswind and rough/uneven terrain were factors in the accident.Sep 13, 1994 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC83LA027Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHope, AKThe aircraft lost power during descent and crashed into trees. The weather was VMC and no flight plan was filed. The pilot said he was descending with reduced power and when he turned carburetor heat on the engine began to miss so he turned carburetor heat…Dec 25, 1982 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC82DAG31Accident · No injuriesFinal reportAnchorage, AKThe pilot reported that before takeoff, he had trouble getting the engine to develop power. He called a mechanic who advised that conditions were right for carburetor icing. The mechanic suggested running the engine with carburetor heat applied. The pilot did…Jun 12, 1982 · Substantial damage