# NTSB ANC98LA118: Piper PA-18A, N2FD, Dillingham, AK, August 8, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1998, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Dillingham, AK
- Coordinates: 58.819995, -157.859436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8200&lon=-157.8594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA118

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent ground loop during the landing roll.  A factor associated with the accident is a 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 - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was landing his tail wheel equipped airplane on a hard surfaced runway with a right crosswind. During the landing roll, he inadvertently ground looped the airplane to the right, collapsing the left main landing gear, and striking the left wing on the runway.  The pilot noted there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane

## Factual narrative

On August 8, 1998, about 1000 Alaska daylight time,  a wheel equipped Piper PA-18A airplane, N2FD, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Dillingham Airport, Dillingham, Alaska.  The private pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured.  The local, personal flight, operated in visual meteorological conditions.  A VFR flight plan was filed.  The flight departed the Dillingham Airport about 0820.

During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 8, the pilot related he was landing the airplane on runway 19, with a crosswind from the right.  He said he asked for a wind check from the FAA Flight Service Station Specialist while on base leg for runway 19, and received a report of 260 degrees at 7 knots.  The pilot said the touchdown was made in a 3 point attitude, and the landing roll was uneventful, until the airplane suddenly ground looped to the right, and went off the right side of the runway.  He said the left wing collided with the runway during the ground loop, and the left main landing gear collapsed.  He also reported there was no indication of any preaccident mechanical difficulties with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2FD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-18A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-4559
- Airframe hours: 3002
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James D. Woolington
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1998, 24 hours before
- Departed: DLG
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: DLG, Dillingham, runway 19, 6,404 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 719 total, 115 in this make and model, 530 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 281° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLG

## 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 19980808023899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980808023899A), Aug 8, 1998: Piper PA18A, Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. Ground looped into crosswind on landing rollout. Damaged wing. Collapsed landing gear. (From .4) the pilot reported he was landing his tail wheel equipped…

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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