# NTSB ANC98LA045: Piper PA-18-150, N7468D, Fairbanks, AK, May 7, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 6, 1998, 18:25 local (May 7, 1998, 02:25 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.900619, -148.160507 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.9006&lon=-148.1605&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 17, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3136 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3136/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA045 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor was the gusting crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - aircraft parked/standing ## Analysis The private pilot stated that during landing with variable, 10 knot winds, gusting to 14 knots, a gust from the left pushed the airplane off the right side of the runway. The airplane struck an unmanned helicopter parked 50 feet outside the edge of the 4,700 x 60 foot runway. ## Factual narrative On May 6, 1998, at 1825 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped, Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N7468D, sustained substantial damage during landing at the Chena Marina Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska. The solo private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight had originated from Chena Marina at 1810 as a local flight after maintenance. The pilot was returning to land at the departure airport due to thunderstorms in the area. During a telephone interview with the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge and FAA inspectors on May 8, 1998, the pilot stated he was landing on runway 19 in variable winds, gusting to 14 knots. He said that after touchdown, a strong gust from the left pushed the airplane off the right side of the 4,700 feet long by 60 feet wide, gravel runway. The airplane struck an unmanned helicopter parked approximately 50 feet outside the right edge of the approach end of runway 19. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7468D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7468D), registered now, S/N 18-5798, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-5798 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Evan L. Wheeler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1998, 20 hours before - Departed: AK28, CHENA MARINA, AK - Destination: AK28, AK - Airport: AK28, Chena Marina, runway 19, 4,700 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 350 total, 16 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F ## 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 19980506012659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980506012659A), May 6, 1998: Piper PA18A150, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Blown off runway in gusty crosswind. Struck parked helicopter 60FT from runway. (.4)the private pilot stated that during landing with variable, 10 knot winds,… ## Other investigations on N7468D (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 WPR20CA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA287), Aug 22, 2020: Piper PA18 (N7468D), Tok, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with trees. 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.