Summary
On August 02, 2009, a Piper PA-18 (N7509K) was involved in an incident near Skwentna, 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 misjudged landing on a downsloping, short landing strip, resulting in a nose over.
The private pilot reported that he was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane at his remote, 650-foot long private airstrip, at the conclusion of a personal cross-country flight operated under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. He said that wind conditions required an easterly approach, over an area of stump-covered, down- sloping terrain. During the approach, the airplane’s right main wheel struck a tree stump at the approach end of the site, and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC09CA076. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N7509K.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s misjudged landing on a downsloping, short landing strip, resulting in a nose over.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
The private pilot reported that he was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane at his remote, 650-foot long private airstrip, at the conclusion of a personal cross-country flight operated under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. He said that wind conditions required an easterly approach, over an area of stump-covered, down- sloping terrain. During the approach, the airplane’s right main wheel struck a tree stump at the approach end of the site, and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. In his written report to the NTSB the pilot noted that the accident might have been avoided if he had waited until wind conditions allowed for a different approach, or if he had waited to reduce engine power after clearance with the stump was ensured.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC09CA076