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September 3, 2004 · Piper PA-18-150 · N82353

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N82353
Operator
Eric a Swenson
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC04LA103

The private pilot reported he was landing the tundra tire equipped tailwheel airplane on a gravel airstrip with a crosswind from his left. During the landing roll, he was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane went off the runway to the right, encountered a shallow ditch, and nosed over. The airplane received structural damage to the rudder and wing lift struts. The pilot noted there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. A Special Weather Observation taken at the airport immediately after the accident, indicated the wind was from 290 degrees True (266 magnetic) at 15 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind during the landing roll, and his failure to maintain directional control which resulted in a loss of control, an encounter with a ditch, and the airplane nosing over. A factor in the accident was a crosswind.

Full Narrative

On September 3, 2004, about 1326 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N82353, sustained substantial damage following a loss of directional control while landing on runway 03 at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated at Merrill Field about 1215. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on September 7, the pilot related that during the landing roll on the gravel-surfaced runway, as the airplane was nearly stopped, a gust of wind from the left (west) pushed the airplane to the right. He said he attempted to correct to the left, but a second gust pushed the airplane to the right again, and the airplane went off the runway, encountered a shallow ditch, and nosed over. The airplane received structural damage to the rudder and wing lift struts. The pilot noted there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. A Special Weather Observation taken at Merrill Field immediately following the accident, noted that the wind was from 290 True (266 magnetic) at 15 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:26 AKDT
Nearest AirportMerrill Field (0nm)
Runway03
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN82353
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEric a Swenson
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 17 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind266° @ 15 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 39 C
Altimeter29.63 inHg
Observation Time16:26
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data