# NTSB GAA18CA376: Piper PA 18, N249T, Cantwell, AK, June 25, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 25, 2018, 08:53 local (16:53 UTC) - Place: Cantwell, AK - Coordinates: 63.566387, -148.815826 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.5664&lon=-148.8158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97572 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA376 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97572/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97572 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA376 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to see and avoid a post during a go-around following a landing on unsuitable terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18 105, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7101809), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18 105, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=7101809), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-18 105, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=7101809), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-18 105, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7101809), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18 105, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101809), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis Due to weather ahead, the pilot decided to land on a gravel strip to wait out the weather. During the landing roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane became airborne after passing over a low spot on the gravel; the pilot increased the engine power to full to perform a go-around, but the airplane's right wing struck a 10 ft-tall post, which he had not seen, and the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative Due to weather ahead, the pilot decided to land on a gravel strip to wait out the weather. During the landing roll, the tailwheel equipped airplane "became airborne" after passing over a low spot on a gravel he increased the engine power to full to perform a go-around. But, the airplane's right wing struck a 10 ft. high post, which he had not seen, and the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N249T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N249T), registered now, S/N 18-2363, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 18 (105) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18 105](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105) (registry code 7101809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2363 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 7418 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2018 - Departed: 4AK6, PALMER, AK - Destination: PACL, CLEAR, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 14, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,617 total, 108 in this make and model, 1,968 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: PAIN, 10 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 20180625008579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180625008579A), Jun 25, 2018: Piper PA-18 105, Cantwell, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot landed the aircraft on an undeveloped runway to wait out a passing storm cell. While on landing rollout, aircraft hit a bump and became airborne. Pilot… ## Other investigations on N249T (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 ANC26LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA055), Jun 18, 2026: Piper PA-18 105 (N249T), Petersville, AK, substantial damage, investigation ongoing - [NTSB ANC79DAG87](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DAG87), Aug 1, 1979: Piper PA-18 (N249T), Kenai, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 27, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97572. 963 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 963 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470621&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.