# NTSB GAA17CA408: Piper PA 18, N8560C, Denali, AK, July 13, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 12, 2017, 16:30 local (Jul 13, 2017, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Denali, AK - Coordinates: 63.587501, -147.988616 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.5875&lon=-147.9886&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95568 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA408 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95568/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95568 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA408 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing on a narrow, unimproved airstrip in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [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, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing on the narrow, unimproved airstrip in gusting wind conditions, the airplane drifted right of center, and he was unable to recover. Subsequently, the right wing impacted trees off the right side of the unimproved airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation system about 26 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 010° at 9 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot reported weather conditions as good other than gusting wind when entering and in the river valley. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing on the narrow unimproved airstrip in gusty wind conditions, the airplane drifted right of center, and he was unable to recover. Subsequently, the right wing impacted trees off the right side of the unimproved airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation system about 26 nautical miles from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, the wind from 010° at 9 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot reported weather conditions as, good other than gusting wind when entering and in the river valley. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8560C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8560C), registered now, S/N 18-2713, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2713 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 5700 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 2017 - Destination: Denali, AK - Flight plan: Unknown - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 19,000 total, 13,000 in this make and model, 19,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: PAIN, 26 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 20170712024439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170712024439A), Jul 12, 2017: Piper PA-18, Denali, AK, Substantial damage. Flight was a grocery haul to off airport narrow landing strip in the yanert river valley. Winds gusted as touching down, the aircraft got to the edge of the… ## Other investigations on N8560C (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 ANC96LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA086), Jun 9, 1996: Piper PA-18 (N8560C), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The obstruction of the left rudder pedal and brake by the battery cable. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95568. 667 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 416 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455786&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Soloy Helicopters) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 251 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455785&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Soloy%20Helicopters)-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.