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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 22, 1999 · Piper PA-18 · N1389A

King Salmon, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 22, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
King Salmon, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N1389A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC99LA054

The certificated private pilot was landing a tundra tire, tailwheel equipped airplane, on a paved dry runway. The pilot stated that the touchdown and the landing roll were uneventful, until the airplane's nose veered slightly to the left. He said he compensated by applying right rudder, but the airplane suddenly ground looped to the left. He stated that the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing collided with the runway during the ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, and right wing struts. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor associated with the accident was an inadvertent ground loop.

Full Narrative

On April 21, 1999, about 2210 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire, tailwheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1389A, received substantial damage while landing on runway 29 at the King Salmon Airport, King Salmon, Alaska. The certificated private pilot, and the one passenger aboard were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight last departed Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1900, and the destination was the King Salmon Airport. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on April 22, the pilot stated that the touchdown and the landing roll were uneventful, until the airplane's nose veered slightly to the left. He said he compensated by applying right rudder, but the airplane suddenly ground looped to the left. He stated that the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing collided with the runway during the ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, and right wing struts. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:10 AKDT
Nearest AirportKing Salmon (0nm)
Runway29
Runway Length8500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN1389A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data