Summary
On March 30, 1997, a Piper J-3 (N920NB) was involved in an incident near Soldotna, AK. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions, and his improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor associated with the accident was the gusty wind.
On March 30, 1997, about 1415 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper J-3 airplane, N920NB, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector inspected the airplane and interviewed the pilot on May 12. According to the FAA inspector, the pilot was landing in gusty wind conditions. The airplane landed hard, bounced, and upon the second contact with the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing subsequently struck the runway, and damaged the main spar.
The pilot did not complete the NTSB Accident Report Form that was mailed to him.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC97LA070. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N920NB.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions, and his improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor associated with the accident was the gusty wind.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On March 30, 1997, about 1415 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper J-3 airplane, N920NB, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Soldotna Airport, Soldotna, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector inspected the airplane and interviewed the pilot on May 12. According to the FAA inspector, the pilot was landing in gusty wind conditions. The airplane landed hard, bounced, and upon the second contact with the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing subsequently struck the runway, and damaged the main spar.
The pilot did not complete the NTSB Accident Report Form that was mailed to him.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC97LA070