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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 12, 1994 · Piper PA-18 · N3485Z

Soldotna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 12, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Soldotna, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N3485Z
Operator
Laudon Scott L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC94LA043

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WAS DEMONSTRATING WHEEL LANDINGS TO A NON-RATED STUDENT PILOT. SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE PLANE BEGAN TO SWERVED TOWARD THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. APPLICATION OF LEFT RUDDER PEDAL DID NOT ARREST THE SWERVE AS THE INSTRUCTOR APPLIED WHEEL BRAKING AND THE PLANE NOSED OVER.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND/FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

Full Narrative

On March 12, 1994, at approximately 1745 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N3485Z, collided with terrain during the landing rollout on runway 7 at the airport in Soldotna, Alaska. The pilot-in-command/flight instructor and his student, who was also the registered owner of the airplane, were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. At the time of the accident, visual meteorological conditions prevailed and there was no filed flight plan in effect for the flight. The flight instructor reported that he was demonstrating to the student a wheel landing to show the proper use of throttle and pitch control for a smoother touchdown. The instructor said that he made a normal approach and normal wheel landing. At idle power when the tailwheel contacted the runway, the airplane initially tracked down the centerline of the runway but then began to veer toward the right side of the runway. His judicious application of left rudder pedal did not arrest the plane's divergent heading. He reported that he then applied the wheel brakes lightly to slow the plane at which point the plane nosed over. The instructor said that the plane's brakes were not locked up as there were no tire marks on the runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 AKST
Nearest AirportSOLDOTNA (0nm)
Runway7
Runway Length4973 ft
Runway Width130 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN3485Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLaudon Scott L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data