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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 7, 2003 · Piper PA-18 · N9668P

Seward, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 7, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Seward, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N9668P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC03CA090

The solo airline transport certificated pilot was landing a float-equipped airplane in a remote, freshwater bay. The pilot reported that during the landing roll, he added a slight amount of left rudder to straighten the airplane's track on the water. The airplane subsequently cart-wheeled to the left, nosed over, and sank in shallow water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadvertent water loop/swerve during landing roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

Full Narrative

On August 6, 2003, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N9668P, sustained substantial damage when it cart-wheeled and nosed over during landing in a freshwater bay located on Montague Island, about 60 miles east of Seward, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo airline transport certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Eyak Lake Airport, Cordova, Alaska, about 1445, and a VFR flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 7, the pilot reported that he was landing in Patton Bay, located on the east side of Montague Island. He said he landed to the west, and during the landing roll, he added a slight amount of left rudder to straighten the airplane's track on the water. The airplane subsequently cart-wheeled to the left, nosed over, and sank in shallow water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. According to the pilot there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN9668P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data