Casualties unknown

Tailwheel Airplane Ground Loops on Landing, Sustains Substantial Damage (N3685Z)

Anchorage, AK, US

On August 16, 2001, a Piper PA-18-160 (registration N3685Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadvertent ground loop during the landing roll. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

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

A certificated commercial pilot experienced a ground loop while landing a tailwheel airplane on a dry paved runway, resulting in collapsed main landing gear and substantial wing damage.

Accident Overview

A certificated commercial pilot was conducting a landing in a tailwheel, tundra tire-equipped airplane. The landing took place on a dry, paved runway. The aircraft was equipped with tailwheel landing gear and oversized tundra tires, which are typically used for soft-field operations.

Sequence of Events

During the landing roll, the airplane began to veer slightly to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the veer by applying right rudder input. However, the rudder application had no noticeable effect on the aircraft's direction. The veer continued and the airplane ultimately ground looped to the left. A ground loop is an uncontrolled rotation of the aircraft around its vertical axis while on the ground, often resulting in loss of directional control.

Damage

As a result of the ground loop, both main landing gear collapsed. The right wing subsequently struck the runway surface, which caused substantial damage to the wing structure. The extent of damage was such that the aircraft was considered substantially damaged. No information was provided about injuries or other damage.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010824X01780. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.