On 22 Jul 2015, a PIPER PA 18-150 A150 was involved in an aviation accident near Talkeetna, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and improper recovery from a bounced landing resulting in a loss of control and collision with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During an off-airport landing on rough terrain, a tailwheel airplane encountered a wind shift and downdraft, resulting in a hard touchdown, bounce, and collision with a berm, causing substantial damage.
Accident Summary
A pilot reported that during a landing on a rough and uneven, vegetation-covered off-airport site, the tailwheel-equipped airplane experienced a wind shift and an increase in wind speed shortly before touchdown. This resulted in a strong downdraft. The pilot applied full power to compensate for the downdraft, but the airplane touched down harder than anticipated and bounced.
Impact and Damage
After bouncing, the airplane rotated 90 degrees before impacting a berm, which caused the aircraft to nose down. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.