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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 4, 2005 · Piper PA-18 · N9091D

Bethel, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 4, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bethel, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N9091D
Operator
Paul D Tony
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC05CA054

The private pilot reported he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on runway 36, which required a correction for a left crosswind. During the landing touchdown, the airplane bounced slightly and settled onto the right main tire. He said he attempted to abort the landing, but the airplane went off the runway, and ground looped to the right. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot noted there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. A weather observation taken at the time of the accident consisted of: Sky conditions and ceiling, 1,500 feet scattered; visibility, 10 statute miles; wind, 320 degrees (magnetic) at 11 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind during an aborted landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control. A factor associated with the accident was a crosswind.

Full Narrative

On April 3, 2005, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N9091D, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the McGrath Airport, McGrath, Alaska, about 1354. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on April 14, the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 36, which required a correction for a slight left crosswind. The pilot stated that as the airplane touched down on the runway, it bounced slightly and settled onto the right main tire, and the airplane veered to the right. He said he attempted to abort the landing, but the airplane went off the runway, and ground looped to the right. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot noted there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. Bethel Airport weather observation at the time of the accident consisted of: Sky conditions and ceiling, 1,500 feet scattered; visibility, 10 statute miles; wind, 320 degrees (magnetic) at 11 knots. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB, dated May 17, 2005, the pilot wrote: "Given to Kenai flight service station. No further recollection."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportBETHEL (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length6398 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN9091D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPaul D Tony
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 47 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point1 C / -6 C
Altimeter29.62 inHg
Observation Time20:04
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data