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NTSB Report
April 20, 2012 · Piper PA-18-150 · N8451Y
Sierraville, CA
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sierraville, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N8451Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR12CA177
The pilot had just performed two uneventful practice landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. For the third attempt, he performed a three-point landing, and the airplane began to drift left. He countered with full engine power, but the airplane drifted beyond the runway edge. The landing gear then struck a berm, and the airplane bounced into the air, snagging a barbed wire fence. The main landing gear subsequently dug into the earth, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and both wings during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
NTSB Probable Cause
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
Full Narrative
The pilot had just performed two uneventful practice landings in the tail-wheel equipped airplane. For the third attempt, he performed a three-point landing, and the airplane began to drift left. He countered with full engine power, and the airplane drifted beyond the runway edge. The landing gear then struck a berm, and the airplane bounced into the air, snagging a barbed wire fence. The main landing gear subsequently dug into the earth, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and both wings during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 PDT
Nearest AirportSierraville (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length3260 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN8451Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.29 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC