# NTSB GAA18CA367: Piper PA 18, N3764Z, Wasilla, AK, June 15, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 14, 2018, 17:55 local (Jun 15, 2018, 01:55 UTC) - Place: Wasilla, AK - Coordinates: 61.616943, -149.32167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6169&lon=-149.3217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97544 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA367 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97544/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97544 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA367 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting tailwind 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-18-150, 98 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101828), [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-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wind sock](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-IFR final approach: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during short final, the airplane encountered moderate turbulence, but he was able to maintain runway alignment and glideslope with constant power and flight control adjustments. During the landing roll, about 20 mph, the tailwheel-equipped airplane veered right. He applied full left aileron and rudder corrections, but the airplane continued to the right, exited the runway, impacted a post, and came to rest upright in a row of trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The weather observation station located about 7 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about 1 minute after the accident, wind was variable at 6 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from 130º at 21 knots, gusting to 30 knots. The airplane landed on runway 26. The pilot added that, after landing, the wind sock was found to be damaged and was not indicating wind direction properly; it was replaced after the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during short final, the airplane encountered moderate turbulence, but he was able to maintain runway alignment and glide slope with constant power and flight control adjustments. During the landing roll, about 20 miles per hour, the tailwheel equipped airplane veered right. He applied full left aileron and rudder corrections, but the airplane continued to the right, exited the runway, impacted a garden post and came to rest upright in a row of trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The weather observation station located about 7 nautical miles from the accident site, about a minute after the accident, reported the wind was variable at 6 knots, gusting 15 knots. The pilot reported the wind was from 130º at 21 knots, gusting 30 knots. The airplane landed on runway 26. The pilot added that, after landing, the wind sock was discovered to be damaged, not indicating wind direction properly, was replaced days after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3764Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3764Z), registered now, S/N 18-7527, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18 (150) - 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: 18-7527 - Year built: 1960 - Airframe hours: 1747 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A@B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 2018 - Departed: 0AK1, Wasilla, AK - Destination: 0AK1, Wasilla, AK - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 0AK1, Anderson Lake, runway 26, 1,800 × 40 ft, gravel - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial, military, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 18, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 12,650 total, 4 in this make and model, 3,668 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 81 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: PAWS, 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 20180614007869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180614007869A), Jun 14, 2018: Piper PA-18-150, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Part 91 noncommercial recreational practice flight. Normal preflight weather and airfield information was reviewed along with preflight and fuel service. At… ## Other investigations on N3764Z (2) 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 ANC12CA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA076), Jul 18, 2012: Piper PA-18-150 (N3764Z), Whittier, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from brush during landing, which resulted in a loss of control. - [NTSB ANC06CA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA126), Sep 9, 2006: Piper PA-18-150 (N3764Z), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive braking during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and a nose over. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97544. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 846 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 535 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469237&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.