Summary
On October 24, 2007, a Piper PA-18 (N1602A) was involved in an accident near Pilot Point, AK. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a loss of control, and an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were gusty, high winds.
The commercial pilot was landing at an off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 other work use flight. The pilot reported that while on a southeasterly approach to the site, he encountered strong gusty winds from 090 degrees at 25 miles per hour, with gusts to 40 miles per hour, and he elected to go-around. During the attempted go-around, a strong gust of wind rolled the airplane abruptly to the left, and the left wing struck the ground. He said that the airplane cartwheeled, and came to rest near the approach end of the site. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ANC08CA009. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1602A.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a loss of control, and an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were gusty, high winds.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The commercial pilot was landing at an off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane during a Title 14, CFR Part 91 other work use flight. The pilot reported that while on a southeasterly approach to the site, he encountered strong gusty winds from 090 degrees at 25 miles per hour, with gusts to 40 miles per hour, and he elected to go-around. During the attempted go-around, a strong gust of wind rolled the airplane abruptly to the left, and the left wing struck the ground. He said that the airplane cartwheeled, and came to rest near the approach end of the site. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC08CA009