N7696D

On April 15, 1999, about 0915 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire, tailwheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N7696D, received substantial damage while landing at the Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, on March 28, the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 33, which required a correction for a 10 knot, left crosswind from 240 degrees. The pilot stated that during the landing roll, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right, and he overcorrected to the left. He added that the right main wheel "grabbed", and the airplane ground looped to the left. During the ground loop, the right wing struck a runway light, and sustained substantial damage.

The closest weather observation station is Merrill Field. On April 15, at 0853, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Sky conditions and ceiling, 6,500 scattered; visibility, 10 statute miles; wind, 320 degrees (true) at 5 knots.

The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.