Summary
On May 26, 2007, a Piper PA-18 (N4111Z) was involved in an accident near Fairbanks, AK. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance while maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with trees. A factor contributing to the accident was dusk lighting conditions.
The private certificated pilot reported that he arrived at his private cabin airstrip about 0030, and descended to about 200 feet msl, to parallel the strip at the conclusion of a Title 14, CFR Part 91, cross country personal flight. He said that at an airspeed of about 75 mph, he began a maneuvering right turn to check a cabin to the east of the strip, and encountered a downdraft. He applied full engine power, but the airplane continued to descend and collided with several spruce trees. The airplane received structural damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot said the wind conditions were light and variable. The pilot reported that the airplane did not have any mechanical malfunction.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ANC07CA039. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4111Z.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance while maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with trees. A factor contributing to the accident was dusk lighting conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The private certificated pilot reported that he arrived at his private cabin airstrip about 0030, and descended to about 200 feet msl, to parallel the strip at the conclusion of a Title 14, CFR Part 91, cross country personal flight. He said that at an airspeed of about 75 mph, he began a maneuvering right turn to check a cabin to the east of the strip, and encountered a downdraft. He applied full engine power, but the airplane continued to descend and collided with several spruce trees. The airplane received structural damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot said the wind conditions were light and variable. The pilot reported that the airplane did not have any mechanical malfunction.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC07CA039