No fatalities

23 Jul 2017: PIPER PA18S 150 — Sterling, AK

Sterling, AK, United States

On 23 Jul 2017, a PIPER PA18S 150 was involved in an aviation accident near Sterling, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in crosswind conditions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel-equipped airplane veered left after tailwheel touchdown in crosswind conditions, exited the runway, and struck a well head, sustaining substantial fuselage damage.

Accident Overview

A tailwheel-equipped airplane experienced a loss of directional control during landing in crosswind conditions. According to the pilot, as the tailwheel set down, the airplane veered left. The aircraft subsequently departed the left side of the runway, collided with a well head, and came to rest nose down.

Weather Conditions

The automated weather observation system located about 7 nautical miles from the accident site reported the wind as 280° at 11 knots around the time of the accident. The pilot was landing on runway 26.

Damage and Examination

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Report

The pilot, who was operating the tailwheel-equipped airplane, stated that no mechanical issues were present before the accident. The landing was being conducted in crosswind conditions, which the pilot noted as a factor in the veering motion after touchdown.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operationContributed to outcome