# NTSB ANC97LA160: Piper PA-11, N4116D, Gulkana, AK, September 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 1997, 17:43 local (Sep 14, 1997, 01:43 UTC) - Place: Gulkana, AK - Coordinates: 55.919273, -159.489227 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9193&lon=-159.4892&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3076 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3076/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA160 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control after touchdown. A factor associated with the accident was the gusty wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - tree(s) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The airplane was landing with a right crosswind of 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot said that on final approach to land, the airplane encountered a downdraft and he did not react quickly enough. The left wingtip contacted a tree prior to touchdown. The pilot stated he overcontrolled on touchdown and the airplane ground looped. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 1997, at 1743 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-11 airplane, N4116D, sustained substantial damage during landing at the Gulkana airport, Gulkana, Alaska. The airplane was equipped with 26 inch tundra tires. The solo commercial certificated pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, as a local flight to conduct touch and go landings. Dusk, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated to the NTSB investigator that he was landing on runway 32, and winds were from 360 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. He related that while on final approach to land, the airplane encountered a down draft, and that he did not react quickly enough. Prior to touchdown, the left wingtip struck a tree. He said that upon touchdown, he over-controlled and the airplane ground looped. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he failed to maintain directional control during landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4116D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4116D), registered now, S/N 11-1580 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-11 - Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11-1580 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregory J. Boyd - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GKN - Airport: GKN, Gulkana, runway 32, 1,700 × 150 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,174 total, 950 in this make and model, 2,120 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19970913029379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970913029379A), Sep 13, 1997: Piper PA11, Gulkana, AK, Substantial damage. Crashed on landing. Other circumstances unknown. (.4) the airplane was landing with a right crosswind of 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot said that on… 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.