# NTSB WPR20CA287: Piper PA18, N7468D, Tok, AK, August 22, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 22, 2020, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Tok, AK - Coordinates: 63.194168, -142.57194 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.1942&lon=-142.5719&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101862 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA287 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101862/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA287 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with trees. ## 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-18A 150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101837), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101837), [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-18A 150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that while on final approach, the airplane drifted off runway centerline and she tried to recenter the airplane prior to touchdown. The airplane touched down and veered right, exited the runway and impacted trees. Both wings were substantially damaged. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7468D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7468D), registered now, S/N 18-5798, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA18 (150) - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-5798 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 8540 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: None - Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 2020, 200 hours before - Departed: PFTO, Tok, AK - Destination: PFTO, Tok, AK - Airport: PFTO, Tok Junction, runway 7, 2,560 × 50 ft, gravel - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 55 total, 45 in this make and model, 35.9 as pilot in command, 43.5 in the last 90 days, 11.8 in the last 30 days, 0.8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: PAOR, 41 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 20200822009789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200822009789A), Aug 22, 2020: Piper PA-18A 150, Tok, AK, Substantial damage. While attempting landing at Tok in VFR conditions, aircraft drifted sideways off runway, PIC elected to stay on ground and ran off into trees., resulting in… ## Other investigations on N7468D (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 ANC98LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA045), May 7, 1998: Piper PA-18-150 (N7468D), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor was the gusting crosswind. 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.