# NTSB GAA16CA210: Piper PA18S, N247T, Talkeetna, AK, April 24, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 23, 2016, 17:00 local (Apr 24, 2016, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.715278, -151.320831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.7153&lon=-151.3208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93088 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93088/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93088 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA210 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he decided to land on an off-airport gravel bar. During the landing roll, the pilot reported that a "tailwind gust" lifted the airplane's tail and the airplane nosed over. The right wing lift strut and windscreen were substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he decided to land on an off-airport gravel bar. During the landing roll, the pilot reported that a "tailwind gust" lifted the airplane's tail and the airplane nosed over. The right wing lift strut and windscreen were substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N247T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N247T), registered now, S/N 18-2361 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA18S (105SPECIAL) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2361 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 3220.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 2016 - Departed: IYS, WASILLA, AK - Destination: IYS, WASILLA, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 17, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 250 total, 50 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: PATK, 75 nm away ## 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 20160423023939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160423023939A), Apr 23, 2016: Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was landing on gravel bar along side river, while coming to stop, pilot said he applied brakes "a little to hard" and at the same time he caught a small… ## Other investigations on N247T (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 UNK64X2464](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2464), Jun 24, 1964: Piper PA18 (N247T), Sidney, NY, destroyed ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93088. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 604 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 707 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF 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.