Casualties unknown

Piper PA-18 Ground-Loops During Landing at Anchorage International (N8653Y)

Anchorage, AK, US

On July 27, 1988, a Piper PA-18 (registration N8653Y) operated by Hulbert, Ward A. was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A Piper PA-18 (Super Cub) ground-looped while landing at Anchorage International Airport; the pilot and passenger were uninjured. The pilot attributed the event to the right main tire grabbing the runway and noted that earlier left brake application could have prevented it.

Incident Overview

A Piper PA-18 (Super Cub) experienced a ground-loop while landing on a paved runway at Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, Alaska. The private pilot and his passenger were uninjured.

Pilot Account

According to the pilot, the right main landing gear tire "grabbed" upon contacting the pavement, causing the airplane to turn abruptly to the right. The pilot stated that the subsequent ground-loop could have been avoided had he applied the left brake sooner.

Aircraft Details

The accident aircraft was equipped with oversized 30-inch tires. No other specifics regarding the aircraft's registration, engine count, or date of the incident were provided.

Circumstances

The ground-loop occurred during the landing roll. The pilot's description indicates a sudden directional deviation triggered by the right tire's interaction with the runway surface. No mention was made of weather conditions, air traffic control involvement, or any damage to the aircraft beyond the ground-loop event itself.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X26105. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.