On 24 Apr 2016, a PIPER PA18S 105SPECIAL was involved in an aviation accident near Talkeetna, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to maintain proper pitch control during the landing roll, leading to the aircraft nosed over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot experienced a nose-over accident while landing on a gravel bar near Talkeetna, Alaska.
What happened
On April 24, 2016, the pilot of a Piper PA18S, registration N247T, performed an intentional landing on an off-airport gravel bar near Talkeetne, Alaska. During the landing roll, a tailwind gust caused the aircraft's tail to lift, resulting in a nose-over. The accident resulted in one minor injury and no fatalities.
The investigation
The investigation found that the right wing lift strut and the windscreen sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented the aircraft from operating normally.
Probable cause
The pilot failed to maintain proper pitch control during the landing roll, leading to the aircraft nosed over.