1989-02-08: Piper PA-18 — Peter Baxter — Flagstaff, AZ

Casualties unknown • Flagstaff, AZ, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT WHILE EXPEDITING TO EXIT THE RUNWAY. HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT, SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE & THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHEN HE WAS ON FINAL APCH TO LAND, THERE WAS A LEARJET BEHIND HIM ON A 5 MILE FINAL APCH. HE STATED THAT HE MADE A NORMAL LANDING, THEN STEERED LEFT TOWARD THE 'TAXIWAY SIDE' OF THE RWY TO EXPEDITE OFF THE RWY. HOWEVER, AFTER REACHING THE LEFT SIDE, HE WAS UNABLE TO ALIGN THE ACFT BACK ON THE RWY HEADING & ELECTED TO CONTINUE OFF THE RWY, RATHER THAN RISK GROUND LOOPING THE ACFT. AFTER DEPARTING THE RWY, THE ACFT ENTERED SNOW & NOSED OVER. NO MECH MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS RPRTD.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-02-08 Piper PA-18 accident near Flagstaff, AZ?

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-02-08 involved a Piper PA-18, registration N9007S, operated by Peter Baxter, at Flagstaff, AZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT WHILE EXPEDITING TO EXIT THE RUNWAY. HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT, SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE & THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

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