# NTSB GAA18CA520: Piper PA18, N4165Z, Tyonek, AK, August 15, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 15, 2018, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Tyonek, AK - Coordinates: 60.58889, -152.161941 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5889&lon=-152.1619&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 10, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98202 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA520 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98202/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98202 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA520 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting wind conditions. ## 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-18-150, 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) - [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) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101828), [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: 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-landing roll: 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: 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) - [Landing: 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) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, before landing on the narrow, gravel airstrip, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right that "pushed me to the left a few feet." The airplane's left wing contacted brush on the left side of the airstrip, and the airplane then exited the left side of the airstrip. The airplane descended into a 2-ft-deep ditch and stopped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported that the wind conditions were variable and gusting to 8 knots, that the skies were clear, and that the visibility exceeded 10 miles. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that prior to landing on the narrow, gravel surface airstrip, the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the right that "pushed me to the left a few feet." The airplane's left wing contacted the brush on the left side of the airstrip and the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The airplane descended a 2-foot ditch and stopped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported that the wind condition was variable and gusting to 8 knots. Additionally, he reported that the skies were clear, and that the visibility exceeded 10 miles. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4165Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4165Z), registered now, S/N 18-8346, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA18 (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: 18-8346 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 16170 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 2018 - Departed: PASX, Soldotna, AK - Destination: PASX, Soldotna, AK - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 20, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 149.8 total, 64.8 in this make and model, 117 as pilot in command, 36.4 in the last 90 days, 12.1 in the last 30 days, 1.7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: PALV, 14 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 20180815014269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180815014269A), Aug 15, 2018: Piper PA-18-150, Trading Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Airman landed near kustatan river, just north of Trading Bay. On rollout, lost control of aircraft and veered into brush on left side of strip, damaging left… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 17, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98202. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471944&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record (item 2, .PDF, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471945&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-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.