No fatalities

13 Jul 2017: PIPER PA 18 — Ray Atkins Registered Guide — Denali, AK

Denali, AK, United States

On 13 Jul 2017, a PIPER PA 18 operated by Ray Atkins Registered Guide was involved in an aviation accident near Denali, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing on a narrow, unimproved airstrip in gusting wind conditions. 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

A tailwheel-equipped airplane veered right during landing on a narrow unimproved airstrip in gusty wind, causing the right wing to impact trees. Substantial damage occurred to the right wing and empennage.

Incident Details

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane was landing on a narrow unimproved airstrip. During the landing in gusty wind conditions, the airplane drifted to the right of the centerline. The pilot reported being unable to recover from the drift. Subsequently, the right wing of the airplane struck trees located off the right side of the airstrip.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the empennage.

Weather Conditions

An automated weather observation system located approximately 26 nautical miles from the accident site reported, around the time of the incident, wind from 010 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot described the weather conditions as good, except for gusting wind when entering the river valley where the airstrip is situated.

Mechanical Condition

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

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operationContributed to outcome