# NTSB GAA17CA441: Piper PA18S, N4387A, Sterling, AK, July 23, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 23, 2017, 11:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Sterling, AK - Coordinates: 60.529167, -150.829162 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5292&lon=-150.8292&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95670 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA441 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95670/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95670 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA441 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in crosswind 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-18S-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101832), [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-18S-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18S-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18S-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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-18S-150, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18S-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18S-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-18S-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101832), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing in crosswind conditions and as the tailwheel set down, the airplane veered left. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, struck a well head, and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 7 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 11 knots. The pilot landed on runway 26. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing in crosswind conditions, as the tailwheel set down the airplane veered left. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, struck a well head and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 7 nautical miles from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was 280° at 11 knots. The pilot landed on runway 26. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4387A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4387A), registered now, S/N 18-4795, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA18S (150) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18S-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18s-150) (registry code 7101832) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4795 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 2320.55 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 2017 - Departed: AK84, Sterling, AK - Destination: AK84, Sterling, AK - Airport: AK84, Scooter'S Landing Strip, runway 26, 2,400 × 80 ft, gravel - Equipment: Video recording device, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 23, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 88 total, 87 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: PASX, 7 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 20170723005779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170723005779A), Jul 23, 2017: Piper PA-18S-150, Sterling, AK, Substantial damage. Airman landed on rwy 24 at scooters airpark (AK84) and veered left after touchdown, going off the runway and striking a vertical post of a water wellhead. Post… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95670. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 925 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456813&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 494 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456814&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.