No fatalities

15 Jun 2018: PIPER PA 18 150 — Wasilla, AK

Wasilla, AK, United States

On 15 Jun 2018, a PIPER PA 18 150 was involved in an aviation accident near Wasilla, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting tailwind 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

During landing roll in gusty wind, a tailwheel airplane veered right, exited runway, struck a garden post, and came to rest upright in trees, sustaining substantial left wing damage. No mechanical failures reported.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that, during short final, the airplane encountered moderate turbulence. He maintained runway alignment and glide slope with constant power and flight control adjustments. During the landing roll at about 20 miles per hour, the tailwheel-equipped airplane veered right. Despite applying full left aileron and rudder corrections, the airplane continued to the right, exited the runway, impacted a garden post, and came to rest upright in a row of trees.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

Mechanical Condition

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

Weather Conditions

The weather observation station located about 7 nautical miles from the accident site reported, about one minute after the accident, that the wind was variable at 6 knots, gusting 15 knots. However, the pilot reported the wind from 130° at 21 knots, gusting 30 knots. The airplane landed on runway 26. The pilot added that after landing the windsock was discovered to be damaged and not indicating wind direction properly; it was replaced days after the accident.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on equipmentContributed to outcomeEffect on personnel