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NTSB Report
November 3, 2010 · Piper PA-18-150 · N4389Z
Carnation, WA
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 3, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Carnation, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N4389Z
Operator
James D Unger
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR11CA040
During a local area personal flight, the pilot decided to make a practice landing on a gravel bar near the middle of a river. With limited landing distance, the pilot decided to fly his approach at a low airspeed, with the intention of touching down at the very edge of the bar. While on short final, the airplane encountered a downdraft and its main landing gear tires touched the surface of the water, whereupon it flipped over onto its back and came to rest upon the surface of the gravel bar. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. As a result of the accident sequence, the top of the rudder and one lift strut were bent.
NTSB Probable Cause
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C
Full Narrative
During a local area personal flight, the pilot, who was flying a tail wheel-equipped airplane, decided to make a "practice Landing" on a gravel bar near the middle of a river. Because of the limited landing distance, the pilot flew his approach at a low airspeed, with the intention of touching down at the very edge of the bar. While on short final, the airplane encountered a downdraft and its main landing gear tires touched the surface of the water whereupon it flipped over onto its back and came to rest upon the surface of the gravel bar. According to the pilot, there were no anomalies associated with the airplane's flight control systems. As a result of the accident sequence, the top of the rudder and one lift strut were bent.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN4389Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames D Unger
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO