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April 20, 2003 · Piper PA-18-150 · N40520

Kemmerer, WY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kemmerer, WY
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N40520
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA069

The pilot stated that while en route, she received ASOS weather updates. Approximately 30 minutes before landing, reported winds at the airport were 160 degrees at 6 knots. Approximately 10 nautical miles out, an update indicated that the winds were 120 degrees at 3 knots. During the landing roll on runway 16, the pilot encountered a gust of wind. The pilot attempted to regain control, but the airplane swerved to the right and departed the right side of the runway. The airplane's left main landing gear struck a ditch and the left wing tip struck the ground.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for wind during the landing roll which resulted in a ground loop/swerve and impact with terrain. Contributing factors include the wind gust and the ditch.

Full Narrative

On April 20, 2003, approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N40520, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during landing roll at Kemmerer Municipal Airport (EMM), Kemmerer, Wyoming. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for this ferry flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Rawlings, Wyoming, approximately 1115. The pilot stated that while en route to Kemmerer, she received weather updates from an automated surface observing system (ASOS). Approximately 30 minutes before landing, an update indicated that the winds at EMM were from 160 degrees at 6 knots. Approximately 10 nautical miles from EMM, an update indicated that the winds were from 120 degrees at 3 knots. During the landing roll on runway 16, she encountered a gust of wind. She attempted to regain control, but the airplane swerved to the right and departed the right side of the runway. The airplane's left main landing gear struck a ditch and the left wing tip struck the ground. The impact with the ground damaged the outboard 4 feet of the left wing, and buckled the aft strut on the left wing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 MDT
Nearest AirportKemmerer Municipal (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length8200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN40520
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data