Casualties unknown

2002-06-19: Piper PA-18 (N1858A) — Harold L. Soule — Anchorage, AK

Anchorage, AK, US

On June 19, 2002, a Piper PA-18 (registration N1858A) operated by Harold L. Soule was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain control during a bounced landing, which resulted in an off-airport landing and substantial damage to the left wing. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot attempted to abort a landing after a hard bounce but lost control, exiting the runway into a ditch. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing during the incident.

What happened

The accident airplane experienced a significant impact upon initial touchdown, resulting in a hard landing. Following this event, the aircraft bounced back into the air before settling onto the runway surface again. In an effort to prevent further contact with the ground or to continue the flight, the pilot applied full engine power. This action caused the airplane to lift off once more, creating a second bounce.

During this second ascent, the aircraft deviated from the paved surface, moving to the left side of the runway. The airplane then descended into a nearby ditch, causing the nose section to pitch downward abruptly. Upon impact with the ground and the ditch, the airframe sustained substantial damage, specifically affecting the left wing structure.

The investigation

Examination of the accident site revealed that the aircraft had left the designated runway area and entered an adjacent drainage ditch. The physical evidence indicated a nosedown attitude at the time of final rest. The primary structural failure observed was located on the left wing, which showed signs of substantial damage consistent with ground impact forces.

Findings

The sequence of events suggests that the initial hard landing compromised the pilot's ability to maintain directional control and airspeed during the subsequent go-around attempt. The decision to apply full power during the second bounce contributed to the lateral deviation from the runway centerline. Encountering the ditch resulted in the loss of controlled flight and significant structural damage to the forward and left-side sections of the aircraft.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control during a bounced landing, which resulted in an off-airport landing and substantial damage to the left wing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020702X01038. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.