# NTSB ANC98LA076: Piper PA-18, N4320Z, Talkeetna, AK, June 16, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 1998, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.450584, -149.790664 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4506&lon=-149.7907&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 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3161 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3161/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA076 ## Probable cause The pilots misjudgement of the tailwind, and excessive application of brakes during the off airport landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll - weather condition - tailwind - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - Abrupt maneuver, landing - roll - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot was practicing tundra landings with newly installed tundra tires. While landing on an unimproved off airport site, the airplane encountered a slight tailwind gust. The pilot applied brakes, and the airplane nosed over onto its back. The pilot stated that he made an error in determining wind direction and speed. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 1998, at 0900 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4320Z, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during landing on tundra, about 17 miles north of Talkeetna, Alaska. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, as a local flight from Talkeetna to practice landings with the newly installed tires. The flight departed at 0730. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot told the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge during a telephone interview on June 16, that he was practicing landings on tundra, and the winds were generally calm. He stated that during a landing to the south, he encountered a slight tailwind gust. The pilot hit the brakes, and the airplane nosed over onto its back. He wrote in his Pilot/Operator Report that he made an error in determining wind direction and speed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4320Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4320Z), registered now, S/N 18-8633, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - 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: 18-8633 - Airframe hours: 3000 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Max C. Schwab - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 1998 - Departed: TKA, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,500 total, 4,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - 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 19980616020799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980616020799A), Jun 16, 1998: Piper PA18150, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Windshift to tail on landing. Used brakes. Nosed over on tundra. Had newly installed tundra tires. (.4)the pilot was practicing tundra landings with newly… ## Other investigations on N4320Z (3) 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 ANC03LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA092), Aug 8, 2003: Piper PA-18 (N4320Z), Healy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain aircraft control after encountering wind gusts during the landing flare/touchdown which resulted in an in-flight… - [NTSB ANC98LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA035), Apr 4, 1998: Piper PA-18 (N4320Z), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors in the accident were snow covered terrain, and a hidden obstruction. - [NTSB ANC94LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA062), Jun 1, 1994: Piper PA-18 (N4320Z), Kotzebue, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: DIRECTIONAL CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADVERTANT GROUND LOOP/SWERVE. 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.