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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 14, 1999 · Piper PA-18 · N90995

Leadville, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 14, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Leadville, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N90995
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN99LA052

The pilot set up to land midfield on runway 34 with winds reported to be from 300 degrees at 8 knots. According to the pilot, during the landing flare the airplane encountered a 'strong' direct crosswind gust. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, and nosed over in deep snow.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions. A factor was the gusting crosswind

Full Narrative

On March 14, 1999, approximately 1345 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18 Super Cub, N90995, was substantially damaged following departure from the side of the runway during landing roll and nosing over in the snow at Lake County Airport, Leadville, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was being operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country personal flight which originated from Colorado Springs, Colorado, approximately 1 hour, 35 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot said that as he approached Leadville from the south, he heard on the airport's UNICOM that the winds were 320 degrees at 8 knots, and that runway 33 was the active runway. As the pilot approached the airport, he requested airport advisories, and was told that the wind was 300 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot reported that he set up for a midfield landing. As he began to flare, a "strong direct crosswind gust suddenly struck the airplane." The pilot said that he attempted to perform a go-around, but departed the right side of runway 34. The airplane nosed over in one foot deep snow. The right wing and rudder were damaged. The pilot noted that after the accident, the windsock, located near the center of the runway, was standing "almost straight out, and was perpendicular to the runway (with winds from the west)." He further observed that this midfield gusting wind condition continued for approximately 20 minutes.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 MST
Nearest AirportLake County Airport (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length6400 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN90995
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 10 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data