4 Apr 2010: PIPER PA-18-150

4 Apr 2010: PIPER PA-18-150 — Unknown operator

No fatalities • Brook Park, MN, United States

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout in variable wind conditions.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot reported that after a normal touchdown the airplane drifted toward the right side of the runway. He attempted to correct for the right drift with a left rudder input, but the wind suddenly changed direction and airplane veered to the left. He applied full brakes to stop the airplane from leaving the runway, but in the process the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, both wings, and cabin structure were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. About 4 minutes before the accident, a local weather station reported that the prevailing wind was out of the southwest at 4 knots. About 16 minutes after the accident, the same weather station reported that the wind speed had increased to 8 knots, with 14 knot wind gusts.

Contributing factors

  • cause Directional control — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot
  • Response/compensation

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 250/04kt, vis 10sm

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