# NTSB ANC97LA070: Piper J-3, N920NB, Soldotna, AK, March 30, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1997, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Soldotna, AK
- Coordinates: 60.320915, -150.789566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3209&lon=-150.7896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA070

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions, and his improper recovery from a bounced landing.  A factor associated with the accident was the gusty wind.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot reported that his airplane hit the runway hard while landing in gusty wind conditions.  The airplane bounced, landed hard again, and collapsed the right main landing gear.  The right wing struck the ground, damaging the main spar.

## Factual narrative

On March 30, 1997, about 1415 Alaska standard time,  a wheel equipped Piper J-3 airplane, N920NB, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, Alaska.  The solo private pilot was not injured.  The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector inspected the airplane and interviewed the pilot on May 12.  According to the FAA inspector, the pilot was landing in gusty wind conditions.  The airplane landed hard, bounced, and upon the second contact with the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed.  The right wing subsequently struck the runway, and damaged the main spar.

The pilot did not complete the NTSB Accident Report Form that was mailed to him.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N920NB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper J-3
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert J. Condon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SQX
- Airport: SXQ, Soldotna, runway 25, 4,973 × 130 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 240 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19970330012819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970330012819A), Mar 30, 1997: Piper J3C65, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. Landing in gusty wind. Landed hard. Bounced. Folded right main gear. Wing hit runway. Damaged spar.

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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