FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Tailwheel Aircraft Collides With Ditch After Landing Roll Veer (N7699K)

Wasilla, AK, US

On July 15, 2003, a Piper PA-20 (registration N7699K) was involved in an aviation accident near Wasilla, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane's collision with a ditch, and the collapse of the main landing gear. 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 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel-equipped aircraft veered left during landing roll, then sharply right after overcorrection, exiting the runway and striking a ditch.

What happened

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane veered to the left. He said he overcorrected, and the airplane veered sharply to the right, exited the right side of the runway, and collided with a ditch. He indicated that the landing gear subsequently collapsed, and the wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

The investigation

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane veered to the left. He said he overcorrected, and the airplane veered sharply to the right, exited the right side of the runway, and collided with a ditch. He indicated that the landing gear subsequently collapsed, and the wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

Findings

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane veered to the left. He said he overcorrected, and the airplane veered sharply to the right, exited the right side of the runway, and collided with a ditch. He indicated that the landing gear subsequently collapsed, and the wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 15 Jul 2003 Piper PA-20 accident near Wasilla, AK?

A tailwheel-equipped aircraft veered left during landing roll, then sharply right after overcorrection, exiting the runway and striking a ditch.

Were there any fatalities in the 15 Jul 2003 Piper PA-20 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 15 Jul 2003 involved a Piper PA-20, registration N7699K, at Wasilla, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane's collision with a ditch, and the collapse of the main landing gear.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030718X01154. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.