On August 16, 1996, a Piper PA-18 (registration N9272D) was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the landing flare, which resulted in a high rate of descent and a short landing that led to a collision with a ditch. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot attempting to land a tailwheel-equipped aircraft on a gravel airstrip experienced a high descent rate, resulting in a short landing and subsequent nosed-over collision with a ditch.
What happened
A certificated private pilot was operating a tailwheel-equipped airplane fitted with tundra tires during an approach to a gravel airstrip. The flight phase involved the landing sequence when the aircraft began to exhibit an excessive rate of descent. Recognizing the situation, the pilot applied power in an attempt to execute a go-around maneuver.
Despite the application of additional thrust, the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude and touched down approximately 180 feet short of the runway threshold. The landing occurred within a rutted section of the airstrip. Following the initial contact with the ground, the airplane continued forward into an adjacent area characterized by tall grass and a ditch.
The impact with the ditch caused the aircraft to nosed over. The event concluded with the airplane resting in a nose-down position after colliding with the terrain feature immediately beyond the airstrip boundary.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the landing flare, which resulted in a high rate of descent and a short landing that led to a collision with a ditch.
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