27 Aug 2019: Piper PA18 150

27 Aug 2019: Piper PA18 150 — Unknown operator

No fatalities • Kenai, AK, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent loss of directional control and impact with a tree.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing on an unimproved airstrip, the airplane landed hard and veered left. He "dumped [his] flaps and attempted to arrest the leftward direction with braking" then applied full power to go around, but the airplane impacted brush and a tree.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, rudder, and left-wing lift strut.

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

The pilot reported that the wind was 180° at 10 knots. An airport's automated weather observation station located 30 miles to the southeast, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was 260° at 6 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane to the south.

Contributing factors

  • cause Landing flare — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot
  • cause Directional control — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Effect on operation

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 260/06kt, vis 10sm

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