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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 21, 2002 · Piper PA-12 · N2514M

Soldotna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Soldotna, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-12
Tail Number
N2514M
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC02LA037

The private certificated pilot was landing with a left crosswind on runway 07. He indicated the wind sock was 90 degrees to the runway, standing straight out. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing and the right elevator struck the ground. The pilot said the wind conditions were from the north about 12 knots. The airplane received damage to the right wing, and the right main landing gear.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind during the landing roll. A factor was the presence of a crosswind.

Full Narrative

On May 21, 2002, about 1514 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N2514M, sustained substantial damage during landing at the Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Anchorage, Alaska, about 1430. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on May 21, the pilot reported he was landing with a left crosswind on runway 07 at Soldotna. He indicated the wind sock was 90 degrees to the runway, standing straight out. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing and the right elevator struck the ground. The pilot said the wind conditions were from the north about 12 knots. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), arrived at the Soldotna Airport just after the accident. The inspector reported the right wing was bent upward about 15 degrees. The inspector also indicated that the wind conditions at the airport were regularly changing directions, and the automated weather observation system (AWOS) was not accurately reporting the wind direction. At 1515, the AWOS was reporting in part: Wind, 020 degrees (true) at 6 knots; visibility, 9 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 73 degrees F; dew point, 29 degrees F; altimeter, 29.87 inHg. The airport facility directory, Alaska Supplement, states, in part: "Airport remarks - Unattended. ...Runway 07 designated calm wind runway." The Radio/Nav/Weather remarks state, in part: "AWOS-3 wind may be unrepresentative of runway wind conditions."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:14 AKDT
Nearest AirportSOLDOTNA (0nm)
Runway07
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width130 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN2514M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 6 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data