No fatalities

23 Apr 2008: Piper PA-18 — War Eagles Air Museum — Santa Teresa, NM

Santa Teresa, NM, United States

On 23 Apr 2008, a Piper PA-18 operated by War Eagles Air Museum was involved in an aviation accident near Santa Teresa, NM. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the strong gusty crosswinds. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a crosswind landing on runway 28, the pilot initiated a go-around due to strong winds. A gust lifted the left wing, causing the right wing to scrape the runway, leading to a right turn, runway excursion, and the aircraft flipping inverted after crossing a creek bed.

Accident Sequence

The pilot began a normal approach to runway 28 at the intended destination airport. He reported a large crosswind correction due to strong winds from the southwest. Airspeed was between 60 and 70 miles per hour, and no flaps were used. The aircraft touched down on the main gear slightly to the right of the runway centerline, maintaining good alignment with ample runway remaining.

Due to the strong winds, the pilot decided to attempt a go-around and applied power. According to the pilot's statement, a gust of wind raised the left wing, and the right wing appeared to scrape the runway. The aircraft then began turning to the right and departed the north side of the runway at approximately 90 degrees to the runway heading.

Terrain and Final Rest

The airplane traveled through a dried creek bed 10 to 12 feet deep and 50 feet wide, located about 100 feet north of the runway. The nose struck the north rim of the creek bed, causing the aircraft to flip and come to rest inverted, facing west.

Pilot and Weather Information

The pilot egressed unassisted and sustained only minor injuries. Winds at the time of the accident were reported as 14 knots with gusts to 28 knots from 250 degrees.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

Gusts