No fatalities

9 Oct 2014: PIPER PA 18-150 A150 — FEJES GUIDE SERVICE LTD — Cordova, AK

Cordova, AK, United States

On 9 Oct 2014, a PIPER PA 18-150 A150 operated by FEJES GUIDE SERVICE LTD was involved in an aviation accident near Cordova, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilots decision to land and failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing in gusty wind conditions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel airplane ground looped during landing at a remote site after a gust of wind lowered its left wing into brush, causing substantial damage to wing tips and fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies.

Accident Details

A pilot flying a tailwheel-equipped airplane was landing at a remote, off-airport site. According to the pilot, he was familiar with the area and aware of approaching weather. As he prepared to land, a heavy rain shower developed with gusty wind conditions.

Sequence of Events

Just before touchdown, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, causing the left wing to lower into brush. This resulted in the airplane ground looping. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wing tips and the fuselage.

Pilot Statement

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Recommendation

In the recommendation section of the accident report, the pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented if he had waited for the rain shower and wind conditions to decrease before landing.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotLateral/bank control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation