On 25 Apr 2020, a Piper PA18 150 was involved in an aviation accident near Bountiful, UT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a roll-over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A tailwheel airplane landed, then a wind gust lifted the tail, causing a nose-low attitude. A second gust flipped the airplane upside down, resulting in substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut, rudder, and vertical stabilizer.
Accident Description
A pilot reported that during her first landing attempt, she aborted due to a changing wind direction with slight gusts. On the second landing, as the airplane rolled out, she applied brakes. Simultaneously, the wind shifted and lifted the airplane's tail upward, causing the airplane to come to rest in a nose-low attitude. After a momentary pause, another gust of wind lifted the tail again and flipped the airplane upside down near the right side of the runway.
Aircraft Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut, rudder, and vertical stabilizer.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilotEffect on operation